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)
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