Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to the perfect, creamy sauce. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy The Best Raspberry Bread and Homemade Blackberry Muffins.
Why This Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, cheesy sauce that's better than takeout
- Ready in just 20 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
- Customizable with your favorite veggies and proteins
What You'll Need for Creamy 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.
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 lb pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs or a mix of both.
- Italian sausage: Mild or spicy, depending on your preference.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Quickly grate cheese for a smooth, creamy sauce. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Step 3: Stir in heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Add cooked chicken, sausage, and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. If needed, thin with reserved pasta water.
- Step 5: Stir in mozzarella cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot, topped with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the sauce. If it's too soft, thin the sauce with some reserved pasta water.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Pro tip: Make it a meal by adding some steamed veggies or a side salad.
Storing & Reheating Creamy 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 in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can cook the chicken and sausage ahead of time and store in the fridge. The pasta can also be cooked ahead of time. Assemble the dish just before serving.
Freezing Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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 healthier version, use heavy cream and substitute some of the pasta with zucchini noodles.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with turkey or shrimp.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it with some reserved pasta water. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 lb pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Red pepper flakes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Step 3: Stir in heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Add cooked chicken, sausage, and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. If needed, thin with reserved pasta water.
- Step 5: Stir in mozzarella cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot, topped with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use heavy cream and substitute some of the pasta with zucchini noodles.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with turkey or shrimp.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it with some reserved pasta water. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- 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: You can cook the chicken and sausage ahead of time and store in the fridge. The pasta can also be cooked ahead of time. Assemble the dish just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 780
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 52g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 210mg
- Sat. Fat: 30g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, see storage notes for make-ahead tips.
Simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce. If it's still too thin, add a slurry of cornstarch and water.
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Add some soy sauce or teriyaki sauce to the sauce for a takeout-like flavor.
Overcooking the pasta in the sauce can make it mushy. Cook the pasta separately and add it to the sauce just before serving.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy 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!
