Make this easy, creamy chicken sausage pasta in one skillet for a satisfying weeknight dinner that requires minimal cleanup.
Author:Avery
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:35 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Skillet Cooking
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
12 ounces penne pasta
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh spinach
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the sausage and set it aside.
Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add the penne pasta and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet.
Stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
Serve immediately. This is a quick dinner that tastes gourmet.
Notes
For a healthier option, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
You can use any short pasta shape you prefer, such as rotini or farfalle.
Add sun-dried tomatoes for an extra layer of Tuscan flavor.