Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Make this Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta for a quick, cozy dinner that’s better than takeout! After making it dozens of times, I discovered the trick to perfectly creamy, golden pasta every time. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy One-Pot Honey BBQ Sausage Pasta and Easy Peach Cobbler French Toast Bake.
Why This Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy edges
- Melty, creamy cheese sauce
- Hearty, comforting dinner
- Ready in 20 minutes
What You'll Need for Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breast
- italian sausage
- pasta
- heavy cream
- mozzarella cheese
- parmesan cheese
- garlic
- onion
- italian seasoning
- red pepper flakes
- salt
- pepper
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- italian sausage: Remove casings for easier cooking and better texture.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and cooking → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Quickly grate cheese for smooth, creamy sauce → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Step 1: Cook sausage and chicken in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook onion and garlic until softened. Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Gradually add heavy cream, stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened.
- Step 4: Stir in mozzarella and parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Add cooked chicken and sausage back to the skillet.
- Step 5: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to the skillet, tossing to combine with the cheese sauce.
- Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the skillet with the cheese sauce. If it's too soft, drain and rinse under cold water before adding to the skillet.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños when cooking the onion and garlic.
- Pro tip: To make this dish even creamier, stir in 1/2 cup of sour cream after removing from heat.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the cheese sauce and cook the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge. Cook the pasta and combine just before serving.
Freezing Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and replace the flour with cornstarch.
- Best substitution: Substitute the heavy cream with canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Read Meat Thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature, preventing foodborne illness → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breast
- italian sausage
- pasta
- heavy cream
- mozzarella cheese
- parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- garlic
- onion
- italian seasoning
- red pepper flakes
- salt
- pepper
Optional Toppings
- fresh parsley
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook sausage and chicken in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook onion and garlic until softened. Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Gradually add heavy cream, stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened.
- Step 4: Stir in mozzarella and parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Add cooked chicken and sausage back to the skillet.
- Step 5: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to the skillet, tossing to combine with the cheese sauce.
- Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and replace the flour with cornstarch.
- Best substitution: Substitute the heavy cream with canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the cheese sauce and cook the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge. Cook the pasta and combine just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sat. Fat: 20g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta FAQs
Yes, see the storage notes for make-ahead tips.
Overcooking the pasta or not adding enough liquid to the cheese sauce can cause the dish to dry out. Make sure to drain and rinse the pasta under cold water before adding to the skillet, and add enough liquid to the cheese sauce to prevent it from thickening too much.
Yes, cook the chicken and sausage in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. Remove and shred, then combine with the cooked pasta and cheese sauce in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 15-20 minutes to heat through.
This recipe contains gluten from the pasta. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and replace the flour with cornstarch.
Yes, add your favorite vegetables such as spinach, bell peppers, or broccoli when cooking the onion and garlic. They will cook in the cheese sauce with the pasta.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
