Description
Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken & Sausage Pasta is a rich and flavorful one-pan Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken, savory turkey sausage, and a luscious cheese sauce made with Pepper Jack and Parmesan. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this creamy pasta combines spicy and cheesy flavors with simple ingredients, cooked all on the stovetop for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 1 lb turkey sausage, sliced (or any preferred sausage)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
Pasta & Liquids
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Cheeses
- 1½ cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Oils & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced turkey sausage and cook until browned on both sides. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Cook the Chicken and Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced chicken, diced onion, and minced garlic. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Simmer the Sauce: Return the browned sausage to the skillet with the cooked chicken. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- Melt the Cheeses: Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the shredded Pepper Jack cheese and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheeses melt completely into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta back into the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly so the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy cheese sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley to add a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute turkey sausage with any sausage such as Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or vegetarian sausage.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.
- Using freshly grated cheeses will give the best melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded cheeses.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture works best to prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
