Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
After making this Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfectly creamy, hearty pasta that’s better than takeout. The golden, melty cheese and crispy chicken make this cozy dish a family favorite. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Cozy Crack Chicken Pasta and Homemade Blackberry Coconut Pink Drink (Starbucks-Inspired).
Why This Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, hearty cheese sauce
- Crispy chicken and sausage
- Easy to make and better than takeout
- Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy nights in
What You'll Need for Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- Pasta
- Heavy cream
- Cheddar cheese
- Garlic
- Onion
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Basil
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
- Italian sausage: Mild or spicy, your choice.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents chicken and sausage from sticking → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Makes shredding cheese quick and easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until soft. Stir in flour to create a roux.
- Step 3: Gradually add heavy cream to the roux, stirring constantly. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Add cooked chicken and sausage back to the skillet.
- Step 5: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to the skillet, tossing to combine with the cheese sauce.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the skillet and can become mushy.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Pro tip: Use full-fat heavy cream for the richest, creamiest sauce.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
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 cheese sauce and cook the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Combine with cooked pasta just before serving.
Freezing Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
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 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use chicken broth instead of heavy cream and part-skim mozzarella instead of cheddar.
- Best substitution: Substitute the Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated as needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant-read thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- Pasta
- Heavy cream
- Cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Onion
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Basil
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until soft. Stir in flour to create a roux.
- Step 3: Gradually add heavy cream to the roux, stirring constantly. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Add cooked chicken and sausage back to the skillet.
- Step 5: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to the skillet, tossing to combine with the cheese sauce.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use chicken broth instead of heavy cream and part-skim mozzarella instead of cheddar.
- Best substitution: Substitute the Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated as needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.
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 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the cheese sauce and cook the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Combine with cooked pasta just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 750
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 45g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sat. Fat: 25g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the cheese sauce and cook the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Combine with cooked pasta just before serving.
This is likely due to the cheese not being fully melted or the sauce being too hot. Stir constantly and ensure the cheese is fully incorporated before adding the chicken and sausage back to the skillet.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before cooking, or cook them directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
This recipe is not gluten-free as written. To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
Yes, you can add vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or broccoli to this dish. Add them to the skillet with the onions and garlic to cook until tender.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta 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!
