Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Craving cheesy, comforting pasta? Try this Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – better than takeout, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with melty cheese and savory sausage. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamy, irresistible sauce. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try these Ham and Cheese Croissants for breakfast and Pair this with Crispy Lion Pancakes for a family-friendly meal.
Why This Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Melty, creamy cheese sauce
- Savory, flavorful sausage
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout taste
What You'll Need for Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- Pasta
- Heavy cream
- Shredded cheese
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Crushed red pepper
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Thinly slice for faster cooking.
- Italian sausage: Use mild or spicy, as preferred.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality chef's knife — Makes slicing chicken and sausage a breeze. → See on Amazon
- Heavy-bottomed skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Cook sausage and chicken: In a large skillet, cook sliced sausage and chicken until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter, add garlic, onion powder, and seasonings. Stir in heavy cream and simmer until thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted.
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to skillet with sauce.
- Combine and serve: Add chicken and sausage back to skillet. Toss to combine. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and crushed red pepper.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken – it can become tough. Remove it once it's no longer pink.
- Time-saving tip: Use pre-sliced sausage to save prep time.
- Flavor boost: Add a splash of white wine to the sauce for extra flavor.
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Cook the pasta and make the sauce just before serving.
Storing & Reheating Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chicken, sausage, and sauce ahead of time. Cook the pasta just before serving.
Freezing Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use full-fat heavy cream for the richest sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the sausage.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Cook the pasta and make the sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality pasta pot — Ensures perfectly cooked pasta every time. → Check price on Amazon
Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- Pasta
- Heavy cream
- Shredded cheese
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Cook sausage and chicken: In a large skillet, cook sliced sausage and chicken until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter, add garlic, onion powder, and seasonings. Stir in heavy cream and simmer until thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted.
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to skillet with sauce.
- Combine and serve: Add chicken and sausage back to skillet. Toss to combine. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and crushed red pepper.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use full-fat heavy cream for the richest sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the sausage.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Cook the pasta and make the sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Make ahead: Prepare the chicken, sausage, and sauce ahead of time. Cook the pasta just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 40g
- 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.
Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Prepare the chicken, sausage, and sauce ahead. Cook the pasta just before serving.
Overcooking the pasta and not adding enough cream can cause dryness. Be careful not to overcook and ensure you're using enough cream.
While you can cook the chicken and sausage in the air fryer, the pasta and sauce are best cooked on the stovetop.
Half and half or a combination of milk and flour can be used as a substitute.
This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd. Just make sure to use a large enough skillet.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout 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!
