Description
This Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken & Sausage Pasta is a hearty and flavorful weeknight meal, combining savory chicken, robust sausage, and a creamy pepper jack cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound Penne pasta
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
12 ounces Cooked chicken sausage, sliced into rounds
1 large Yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
½ cup Chicken broth
2 cups Heavy cream
8 ounces Pepper Jack cheese, freshly grated
½ cup Grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup Fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining
- Prepare the Chicken and Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken; add sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the chopped onion. Sauté until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; stir for 1 minute
- Build the Sauce: Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for 1-2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, stir in the heavy cream, and warm through without boiling
- Melt the Cheese: Gradually add grated Pepper Jack and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta, chicken, and sausage to the skillet. Toss gently to coat in sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan, if desired. Serve immediately
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother sauce.
Reserve pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg