Description
Bring bold flavor to your table with this Spicy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta Skillet—a fast, one-pan wonder that’s perfect for busy weeknights or indulgent weekend dinners. Featuring juicy chicken, spicy Italian sausage, creamy marinara sauce, and melty mozzarella, this easy dinner recipe is hearty, comforting, and packed with protein. Whether you’re looking for new dinner ideas, a quick comfort food fix, or just a go-to easy recipe for meal prep, this dish hits all the right notes. It’s the ultimate blend of cheesy, spicy, and savory, all in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb spicy or mild Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, diced
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1/2 cup diced onion (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups marinara or tomato pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, cook chicken seasoned with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until golden and cooked through. Set aside with the sausage.
- Sauté onions (if using) until soft. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; stir until fragrant.
- Return sausage and chicken to the skillet. Add marinara and cream. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Add pasta and stir in 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan until melted.
- Top with remaining cheese. Cover and let melt for 3–5 minutes over low heat.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.