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Easy Weeknight Creamy Tuscan Chicken Sausage Pasta Skillet

A close-up of creamy chicken sausage pasta featuring penne, sliced sausage, and wilted spinach in a white bowl.
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Make this easy, budget-friendly Creamy Tuscan Chicken Sausage Pasta Skillet for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This one-pan meal cooks quickly and delivers rich, comforting flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
  • 1 pound penne or rotini pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Set the cooked pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice) and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Let it warm through for 2 minutes.
  6. Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet. Add the fresh spinach and stir until the spinach wilts down completely, about 2 minutes.
  7. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Serve this simple chicken sausage meal immediately.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings.
  • This recipe works well for meal prep; store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Feel free to substitute spinach with chopped kale or sun-dried tomatoes for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://whiskdaily.com/chicken-sausage-pasta-recipe-skillet/