Description
Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken & Sausage Pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish combining tender diced chicken, spicy turkey sausage, and a luscious creamy cheese sauce made with Pepper Jack and Parmesan cheeses. This delicious pasta dish blends Italian seasonings with a creamy texture, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb turkey sausage, sliced (or use any sausage you prefer)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
Pasta
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cheese
- 1½ cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics & Seasonings
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced turkey sausage and cook until browned on both sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Chicken with Aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced chicken along with the diced onion and minced garlic. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink.
- Cook Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine Sausage and Liquids: Return the browned sausage to the skillet with the cooked chicken. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- Add Cheeses to Sauce: Lower the heat and stir in the shredded Pepper Jack and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy cheese sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute turkey sausage with any preferred sausage like Italian or chorizo for different flavor profiles.
- Use rotini or penne pasta, but other shapes like fusilli or rigatoni work well too.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Adjust the spiciness by choosing a milder or hotter Pepper Jack cheese or adding crushed red pepper flakes.
- Leftovers keep well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the sauce.
