Creamy pepper jack chicken and sausage pasta combines cubed chicken and sliced smoked sausage with pasta in a pepper jack cream sauce, ready in about 40 minutes. Browning the sausage in the same skillet after the chicken is done adds a second layer of rendered fat and browned bits for the sauce to build on, beyond what the chicken alone would leave behind.
Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken & Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1/2 lb smoked sausage, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add sliced sausage and brown for 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat and stir in pepper jack cheese and paprika. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add cooked pasta and chicken back into the pan. Toss to coat everything in the sauce.
- Simmer 2–3 minutes until heated through. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Recipe Notes
- For extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use spicy sausage.
- You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- Great with garlic bread or a crisp green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 1 1/2 cups
- Calories
- 590
- Sugar
- 3g
- Sodium
- 780mg
- Fat
- 33g
- Saturated Fat
- 17g
- Unsaturated Fat
- 14g
- Trans Fat
- 0g
- Carbohydrates
- 42g
- Fiber
- 2g
- Protein
- 31g
- Cholesterol
- 120mg
Why you'll love this
- Cooking the chicken and sausage separately in stages, rather than together, lets each brown properly instead of steaming in a crowded pan, which is what actually builds flavor for the sauce that follows.
- Using pepper jack rather than a plain cheddar or Parmesan gives the sauce built-in heat from the cheese itself, so the dish doesn't need a separate hot sauce or pepper flakes to have a kick.
Tips for the best result
- Brown the sausage for the full 3-4 minutes the recipe calls for so it develops color, rather than just heating it through.
- Stir the pepper jack in over low heat until fully melted and smooth before adding the pasta and chicken back, so the sauce doesn't separate when it's tossed with everything else.
Troubleshooting
The sauce looks broken or greasy.
This is usually from the cheese melting over heat that's too high. Lower the heat before adding the pepper jack, and stir continuously until it's fully smooth.
The dish is spicier than expected.
Pepper jack cheese and smoked sausage can both vary in heat by brand. For a milder version next time, use a plain Monterey Jack instead of pepper jack, or a mild smoked sausage.
Sauce breaks or separates.
lower the heat immediately and whisk in a tablespoon of cold cream or cream cheese to re-emulsify.
Store covered in the refrigerator. The recipe's own notes suggest half-and-half as a lighter substitute if reheating leftovers leaves the sauce too rich.
The recipe's own notes suggest garlic bread or a crisp green salad alongside.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken & Sausage Pasta ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare it up to 24 hours ahead, but undercook the pasta slightly. Store sauce separately and combine with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve for best results.
What pasta shapes work best with this recipe?
Medium shapes that trap sauce work wonderfully—penne, rotini, or farfalle are ideal. Avoid delicate shapes like angel hair which can get lost in this hearty sauce.
Is there a lighter version of this dish?
Absolutely! Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, reduce cheese by 25%, and increase vegetables like bell peppers and spinach for a lighter but still satisfying meal.
Can I substitute the chicken or sausage?
Yes! Turkey, shrimp, or even plant-based alternatives work well. Just adjust cooking times accordingly—shrimp cooks much faster than chicken.
How spicy is this Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken & Sausage Pasta?
It has a mild to medium heat that builds gradually. Control the spice level by choosing milder sausage varieties or substituting part of the pepper jack with regular monterey jack cheese.
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