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Quick Skillet Chicken Sausage Pasta

Close-up of a bowl of creamy chicken sausage pasta featuring penne, sliced sausage, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.
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Make this fast, creamy chicken sausage pasta in one pan for an easy weeknight dinner. This recipe uses simple ingredients for a flavorful, family-friendly meal ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound smoked chicken sausage, sliced
  • 12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the same skillet. Cook for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth simmer for 2 minutes.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Add the cooked pasta, browned sausage, and fresh spinach to the skillet. Toss everything together until the spinach wilts and the pasta is coated in the sauce.
  8. If the sauce seems too thick, add splashes of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if you like.

Notes

  • For a Tuscan flavor profile, add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning when you add the broth.
  • You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
  • This recipe works well for meal prep; store the pasta and sauce separately if you plan to eat it later in the week.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/easy-creamy-chicken-sausage-pasta/