Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick 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 Creamy Swirl Ice Cream Bread Treat and Smothered Chicken.
Why This Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, cheesy sauce that's better than takeout
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep
What You'll Need for Creamy Cheesy Chicken & 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.
- chicken breasts
- sausage
- pasta
- heavy cream
- cheese
- garlic
- onion
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless
- sausage: Italian or mild
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Smooth sauce in minutes without dirtying a blender → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add onion and garlic to skillet. Cook until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
- Step 4: Return chicken and sausage to skillet. Add cooked pasta and toss to combine.
- Step 5: Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- : Use low-sodium chicken broth instead of water for extra flavor.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the skillet. If it's too soft, drain it before adding to the sauce.
- : For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Cheesy Chicken & 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 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Freezing Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 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 healthier version, use whole wheat pasta and reduce the amount of cheese.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with turkey or shrimp for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more heavy cream or chicken broth to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Pasta Pot — Even cooking and no sticky mess → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- sausage
- pasta
- heavy cream
- cheese
Seasonings
- garlic
- onion
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
Optional Toppings
- fresh parsley
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add onion and garlic to skillet. Cook until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
- Step 4: Return chicken and sausage to skillet. Add cooked pasta and toss to combine.
- Step 5: Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use whole wheat pasta and reduce the amount of cheese.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with turkey or shrimp for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more heavy cream or chicken broth to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 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 sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, prepare the sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Overcooking the pasta in the skillet can make it dry. Drain the pasta before adding it to the sauce.
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
No, this recipe is best made on the stovetop. The air fryer is not suitable for cooking pasta.
Yes, this homemade version is creamier, cheesier, and healthier than takeout. Plus, it's ready in just 30 minutes!
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Cheesy Chicken & 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!
