Easy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta: Better Than Takeout
Craving cheesy chicken and sausage pasta? This easy, better-than-takeout recipe is loaded with juicy chicken, savory sausage, and a creamy, melty cheese sauce. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to preventing a broken sauce. Plus, it’s perfect for a cozy family dinner. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Juicy Grilled Chicken Mashed Potato Bowls Recipe Easy Homemade Dinner and Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza.
Why This Easy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta: Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Better than takeout taste at home
- Creamy, melty cheese sauce that's irresistible
- Perfect for a cozy family dinner or meal prep
What You'll Need for Easy 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.
- chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- pasta
- heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- garlic
- onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- Optional: fresh basil
- Optional: red pepper flakes
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
- Italian sausage: Mild or spicy, your choice.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Smooth, lump-free cheese sauce every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta: Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cook sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Cook chicken in the same skillet until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add flour, then gradually whisk in heavy cream and reserved pasta water. Stir until thickened.
- Step 5: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Add cooked sausage and chicken back to the skillet. Toss with cooked pasta and seasonings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta: Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Adding cold cream to a hot pan can cause the sauce to break. Warm the cream slightly before adding it to the pan.
- Pro tip: For an extra layer of flavor, brown the chicken and sausage in the same pan you'll use for the cheese sauce.
- Pro tip: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more pasta water or milk.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce or top individual servings with a sprinkle.
Storing & Reheating Easy 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 for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make the cheese sauce and cook the chicken and sausage a day ahead. Store separately and combine when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Cheesy Chicken and 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 vegetarian version, substitute the sausage with sliced mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Best substitution: Heavy cream can be substituted with an equal amount of milk for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more pasta water or milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Pasta Pot — Even cooking and draining for perfect pasta every time. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta: Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- pasta
- heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- garlic
- onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
Optional Toppings
- fresh basil
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Cook chicken in the same skillet until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add flour, then gradually whisk in heavy cream and reserved pasta water. Stir until thickened.
- Step 5: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Add cooked sausage and chicken back to the skillet. Toss with cooked pasta and seasonings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage with sliced mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Best substitution: Heavy cream can be substituted with an equal amount of milk for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more pasta water or milk.
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: You can make the cheese sauce and cook the chicken and sausage a day ahead. Store separately and combine when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 750
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 45g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sat. Fat: 24g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta: Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can make the cheese sauce and cook the chicken and sausage a day ahead. Store separately and combine when ready to serve.
Adding cold cream to a hot pan can cause the sauce to break. Warm the cream slightly before adding it to the pan.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, this recipe is better than takeout because it's made with fresh ingredients and you can customize it to your liking.
Add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce or top individual servings with a sprinkle for a spicy kick.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy 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!
