I’ll be honest, I never thought pasta night could get any better until I started making this Italian chicken sausage pasta. The chicken sausage brings a rich, savory flavor that clings to the noodles like they were meant to be together. It’s the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with the smell of garlic, tomato, and just enough herbs to make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to a little trattoria in Rome. Cooking with sausage is a game changer for pasta. Mild Italian sausage has that gentle spice, enough to wake up your taste buds without making you reach for water after every bite. The pairing with pasta feels natural, almost like comfort food dressed up in its Sunday best. I like to toss everything together in one big skillet, so the sauce coats every single bite. Honestly, it’s the kind of meal where everyone goes back for seconds. If you’ve ever been caught staring into your pantry wondering what to do with that box of noodles, this recipe might be your new go-to. It’s easy, hearty, and makes you feel like you cooked something way fancier than the time it actually took. And trust me, when the leftovers taste just as good the next day, you know you’ve got a keeper.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
- 4) How to Make Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
- 5) Tips for Making Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
- 6) Making Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
- 8) Try these Main Course next!
- 9) Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
Italian chicken sausage pasta is hearty, flavorful, and easy enough to cook on a weeknight. With tender pasta and juicy chicken sausage tossed in a rich tomato sauce, this recipe checks all the boxes for comfort food. It’s the kind of dinner you’ll want to make again and again.
This recipe doesn’t need complicated steps or special tools. Just a pot for pasta, a skillet for the sauce, and a little patience while it simmers. That’s it. The flavor is all in the sausage, herbs, and the way the tomatoes cook down into a thick sauce that clings to each noodle.
If you’ve been searching for chicken sausage recipes that feel homemade and satisfying, this one fits. It keeps things simple but delivers a depth of taste that feels more like a slow-cooked meal. Think of it as your new go-to pasta dinner when you want cozy but don’t want to spend hours cooking.
2) Easy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta Recipe
I love meals that come together without stress, and this one does exactly that. Italian chicken sausage recipes tend to shine because the sausage itself does most of the heavy lifting in the flavor department. You get that herby, garlicky richness without needing a dozen ingredients.
This sausage pasta recipe keeps it straightforward. Cook pasta until it’s just right, brown the sausage, add tomatoes and herbs, and let the sauce simmer. Once you toss everything together, you’ve got a plate of comfort food that looks like it took way longer than it actually did.
Pasta and sausage recipes like this one have a way of becoming a family favorite. They’re reliable, tasty, and easy to adjust. You can swap spaghetti for penne, make the sauce spicier or milder, and add vegetables if you like. Either way, it works, and it works every single time.
3) Ingredients for Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
Pasta: A box of spaghetti or penne is all you need. Pick the one you love most. The pasta holds the sauce and makes the meal filling and satisfying.
Chicken Sausage: Mild Italian sausage recipes work best here. Slice it up so it cooks evenly and adds flavor to every bite.
Olive Oil: Just a splash to sauté the onion and garlic. It gives a silky base for the sauce.
Onion: Chop one medium onion. It melts into the sauce and adds sweetness once it’s cooked down.
Garlic: Mince a few cloves. Garlic is the backbone of so many Italian pasta recipes, and here it shines without overpowering.
Tomatoes: A big can of crushed tomatoes makes the sauce hearty. They simmer with the herbs and sausage to create that rich base.
Herbs: Dried oregano brings earthiness, while basil leaves at the end add freshness. Together they balance the sausage perfectly.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan at the end pulls the whole dish together. It’s salty, nutty, and a must-have topping.
4) How to Make Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
Step 1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain it and set it aside, but don’t rinse. You want the starch to help the sauce cling later.
Step 2. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Stir until they’re soft and fragrant. This is the flavor base for everything else.
Step 3. Toss in the chicken sausage. Brown the slices on both sides. As they cook, the oils and seasoning in the sausage blend into the skillet.
Step 4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Add oregano, red pepper flakes if you like some heat, and a little salt and pepper. Stir and let it bubble gently for about 15 minutes.
Step 5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together so the sauce coats every strand. The pasta should look glossy and smell incredible.
Step 6. Finish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese. Serve it hot and enjoy the cozy comfort of homemade pasta with sausage.
5) Tips for Making Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
Salt the pasta water well before you add noodles. It’s the first chance to season the pasta and it makes a difference. If you skip this, the whole dish will feel flat.
Don’t overcook the pasta. Aim for al dente so it still has some bite after sitting in the sauce. Overcooked pasta breaks down quickly and loses texture.
Let the sauce simmer, even just for 15 minutes. That short time lets the flavors meld and gives the dish more depth. It’s worth the wait.
6) Making Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta Ahead of Time
Italian chicken sausage recipes like this one are perfect for meal prep. The flavors deepen as they rest, which means leftovers taste just as good, if not better, the next day.
If you plan to cook ahead, undercook the pasta slightly. It will soak up some sauce in the fridge and soften further when reheated.
Store the sauce and pasta separately if possible. Mix them before eating to keep the noodles from absorbing too much liquid overnight.
7) Storing Leftover Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay good for up to four days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
You can also freeze the sauce by itself. It thaws easily and pairs well with fresh pasta later. This is a smart way to always have a quick dinner option ready.
For best results, reheat pasta gently on the stove. The microwave works in a pinch, but reheating slowly keeps the noodles from turning mushy.
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta
Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta – Chicken Sausage Recipes
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti or penne pasta
- 1 lb mild Italian chicken sausage, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, torn
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook until softened.
- Add sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on all sides.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce.
- Top with fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of parmesan before serving.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 plate | Calories: 480 | Sugar: 7 g | Sodium: 870 mg | Fat: 18 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Carbohydrates: 56 g | Fiber: 5 g | Protein: 24 g | Cholesterol: 55 mg
Written by Camila from Camila Cooks
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