Description
A rich and comforting pasta dish made with juicy chicken, flavorful sausage, and a creamy Pepper Jack cheese sauce, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb turkey sausage, sliced (or sausage of choice)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add diced chicken, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until fully cooked and lightly golden, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Gradually add Pepper Jack and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Return chicken, sausage, and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss until evenly coated in sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use mild or spicy sausage to adjust heat level
- Add spinach or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition
- Stir cheese in slowly to prevent sauce from becoming grainy
- Reserve a little pasta water to thin the sauce if needed
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes