Description

This Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken Sausage Pasta is a rich, cheesy, and comforting dish featuring tender chicken, smoky sausage, turkey bacon, and ham in a velvety Pepper Jack–cheddar sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners packed with flavor and protein.

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz penne or rigatoni
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 lb boneless chicken breast, bite-sized pieces
8 oz beef sausage links, sliced ½″ rounds
2 slices turkey bacon, chopped
½ cup chicken ham, diced
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1½ cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ tsp smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Extra shredded Pepper Jack (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne or rigatoni until al dente, drain, reserving some pasta water.
Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown turkey bacon and sausage rounds for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
Add remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper; cook 6–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside with meats.
Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in skillet, scraping browned bits. Cook onion 3–4 minutes until translucent.
Stir in garlic and smoked paprika; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream; simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Lower heat; gradually whisk in Pepper Jack and cheddar until smooth and velvety. Season with salt and pepper.
Return chicken, sausage, bacon, and ham to skillet; stir to warm through.
Add cooked pasta; toss to coat in sauce. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
Cook 1–2 more minutes until heated through and sauce clings to pasta.
Serve garnished with chopped parsley and extra Pepper Jack cheese if desired.

Notes

For variations, swap Italian sausage for beef sausage or omit ham. Add veggies like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for color and nutrition. Adjust spice with more smoked paprika or cayenne. Make ahead by preparing sauce through cheese melting, refrigerate, then reheat before adding proteins and pasta.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 550
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 140mg