Easy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout

Craving creamy, cheesy pasta? This Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 20 minutes. After making this countless times, I’ve perfected the recipe for you. The trick I discovered is using a combination of heavy cream and milk for the perfect creamy sauce. The result is a golden, bubbly, irresistible dish that’s better than takeout. Start by browning the chicken and sausage, then add the garlic and onions. Next, stir in the heavy cream and milk, followed by the pasta. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Garlic Parmesan Focaccia and Breakfast Egg Rolls.

What You'll Need for Easy Cheesy Chicken & 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.

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 8 oz pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: Red pepper flakes
• Optional: Crushed red pepper

How to Make Easy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout

1. Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and onions until softened. Stir in heavy cream, milk, and seasonings.
3. Step 3: Add pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce. Cook until pasta is al dente.
4. Step 4: Return chicken and sausage to the skillet. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
5. Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and your choice of toppings.

Storing & Reheating Easy Cheesy Chicken & 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 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.

Freezing Easy Cheesy Chicken & 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 chicken and sausage with mushrooms and bell peppers.
• Best substitution: Use heavy cream for a richer sauce, or half-and-half for a lighter version.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
• Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few minutes to reduce. If it's too thick, add a little more milk.

Easy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout

⏱

Prep

10 mins

🍳

Cook

20 mins

⏳

Total

30 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free (use GF pasta)

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 8 oz pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Seasonings

• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Red pepper flakes
• Crushed red pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and onions until softened. Stir in heavy cream, milk, and seasonings.
3. Step 3: Add pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce. Cook until pasta is al dente.
4. Step 4: Return chicken and sausage to the skillet. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
5. Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and your choice of toppings.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken and sausage with mushrooms and bell peppers.
• Best substitution: Use heavy cream for a richer sauce, or half-and-half for a lighter version.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
• Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few minutes to reduce. If it's too thick, add a little more milk.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 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: Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 750
• Protein: 45g
• Fat: 45g
• Carbs: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Cholesterol: 150mg
• Sat. Fat: 25g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Easy Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Easy Cheesy Chicken & 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!