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Creamy Sausage & Chicken Pasta in Rich Tomato Cream Sauce

Cozy and comforting creamy pasta with smoky sausage and tender chicken in a rich tomato cream sauce, ready in about 30 minutes—perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Creamy Sausage & Chicken Pasta
  • 2 cups pasta shells or penne, rigatoni, or farfalle as alternatives
  • 1 chicken breast cut into chunks
  • 1 link smoked sausage sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp paprika adds subtle smoky warmth
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning classic herby flavors
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tbsp parsley chopped, optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside. Reserve some pasta water if desired.
  2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken chunks and sausage slices. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and lightly crispy on the edges.
  3. Step 3: Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables soften and become aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Pour in tomato sauce and heavy cream. Stir in paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: Add cooked pasta shells to the skillet. Toss well to coat pasta evenly with the creamy tomato sauce. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley over the top. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to swap pasta shells for penne, rigatoni, or farfalle. Substitute smoked sausage with Italian sausage, chorizo, or chicken sausage. Add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for extra veggies. For dairy-free, use coconut cream and dairy-free cheese. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.