Name: Chicken Sausage Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces pasta ((I used rigatoni)); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 package chicken sausages ((12 ounces - I used Bilinski mild Italian with bell pepper)); 2 cups sliced mushrooms ((140 gram)); 4 cups spinach, roughly chopped ((120 grams)); 2 cups marinara sauce ((or more if you want it saucier)); 1/2 cup goat cheese ((2 ounces)); salt and pepper, to taste; optional toppings - grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes...

I feel like you can never go wrong with pasta. It’s easy to make, comes together quickly, and the varieties and combinations are endless. This chicken sausage pasta recipe takes simple ingredients and transforms them into a cozy pasta dish.

The truth is, this dish was totally inspired by my husband. One day for lunch he cooked up some chicken sausages, a decent amount of pasta, and used some leftover pasta sauce we had in the fridge.

As he was eating, I came out to make my lunch and there was some leftover pasta and more chicken sausages and sauce to be used, so I followed suit and made something similar. It was so good and so simple, I knew I had to share!

Pasta with chicken sausage, spinach, mushrooms, and marinara sauce in a large skillet. It stopped with fresh basil. A small ramekin of basil is next to the skillet.

Of course, I tweaked the original dish a little and added some more veggies and added a touch of goat cheese, which gives it a depth of flavor and makes the sauce so creamy. The end result is easy comfort food that totally hits the spot when not sure what to make for dinner or lunch but want to keep it healthy and delicious!

Why we love this chicken sausage pasta

ready from start to finish in 25 minutes
easily customizable – use your favorite chicken sausage flavor, pasta, and whatever veggies you like
made with simple ingredients you probably already have at home
macro-balanced – we have protein from the chicken and pasta, carbohydrates from the pasta, healthy fat from the oil and goat cheese, and fiber from the veggies and pasta.
something everyone will love!

Are chicken sausages healthy?

When made with the right ingredients, chicken sausages can be a healthy addition to any diet. Look for ones with no added nitrites or nitrates, fillers, binders, or artificial ingredients. I also like to look for ones that aren’t loaded with sodium.

I am using the brand Bilinski as they have great ingredients, a good amount of protein, and not a ton of fat.

Chicken sausage with pasta, veggies, and marinara sauce on a white plate topped with basil and parmesan cheese. Next to the plate is a small ramekin of basil and a skillet with more pasta.

Chicken sausage pasta ingredients

pasta – I am using rigatoni, but any kind works.
olive oil
chicken sausage – use your favorite kind! These Bilinski sausages have recently become ours – I am using mild Italian with bell pepper flavor.
mushrooms
spinach
marinara sauce
goat cheese – adds a nice creaminess to the sauce!
salt and pepper

White counter with a bowl of uncooked rigatoni pasta, a package of chicken sausages, a bowl of salt and pepper, a bowl of olive oil, a bowl of marinara sauce, a bowl of goat cheese, a bowl of spinach, and a bowl of sliced mushrooms.

How to make chicken sausage pasta

Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to the instructions. Once al dente, drain and set aside to cool. When draining, reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water.
Cook the chicken sausage. When the water is about to boil, you’ll start cooking your chicken and veggies. Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat and let it get hot. Then add sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned on one side (make sure not to move in the pan when cooking). Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Cook the veggies. In the same pan, add mushrooms and saute for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chopped spinach and saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Turn down the heat to low.
Assemble. Add your marinara sauce and cooked pasta to the pan and stir to combine. Then add in your goat cheese, and little pasta water (about 2 tablespoons worth), and salt and pepper, and mix well to combine. Let warm through, about 1 minute.
Enjoy! Top with toppings of choice and enjoy!

Saute pan filled with sautéed rounds of chicken sausage.

Saute pan filled with sautéed chicken sausage, mushrooms, and spinach.

Large skillet filled with pasta, chicken sausage, and veggies all tossed with marinara sauce.

Storage and reheating

refrigerator – allow the pasta to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
reheating – to heat it up, pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes until warmed through.

Substitutions and additions

pasta – any kind of pasta will work (penne, spaghetti, angel hair, elbow…). I like rigatoni as it has a good surface area to soak up the pasta sauce. If needed, opt for gluten-free pasta to make this meal gluten-free.
olive oil – any kind of neutral oil will work.
chicken sausage – use your favorite kind for this recipe. I would avoid chicken apple sausage though.
veggies – use any veggies you like! The more the merrier. Onion, broccoli, zucchini, and bell peppers would be good substitutes or additions.
marinara sauce – I love a classic red sauce, but you could use any kind of sauce your like (store-bought or homemade). If you aren’t feeling a tomato sauce, you could easily swap it for your favorite pesto sauce.
goat cheese – feta will work instead of goat cheese. To keep it dairy-free, leave off the cheese.
spices – to spice it up a little more, add some spices. Garlic powder, onion, powder, and Italian seasoning would all be good choices. 1-2 teaspoons would be enough to flavor the dish.

More healthy pasta recipes

If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!

Chicken sausage pasta on a plate topped with basil and parmesan cheese.

5 from 8 votes

Chicken Sausage Pasta

Author: Kelly Nardo

This quick chicken sausage pasta is a tasty recipe for easy comfort food and a healthy dinner. Made with your favorite chicken sausage, pasta, spinach, mushrooms, sauce, and creamy goat cheese to finish it off. Ready in 25 minutes from start to finish for a well-balanced meal.

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Course: Main Course

Calories: 451kcal

Protein: 30g

Carbs: 53g

Fat: 16g

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 25

Servings: servings

ingredients

8 ounces pasta (I used rigatoni)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package chicken sausages (12 ounces – I used Bilinski mild Italian with bell pepper)
2 cups sliced mushrooms (140 gram)
4 cups spinach, roughly chopped (120 grams)
2 cups marinara sauce (or more if you want it saucier)
1/2 cup goat cheese (2 ounces)
salt and pepper, to taste
optional toppings – grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes…

instructions

Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to the instructions. Once al dente, drain and set aside to cool. When draining, reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water.
Cook the chicken sausage. When the water is about to boil, you’ll start cooking your chicken and veggies. Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat and let it get hot. Then add sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned on one side (make sure not to move in the pan when cooking). Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Cook the veggies. In the same pan, add mushrooms and saute for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chopped spinach and saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Turn down the heat to low.
Assemble. Add your marinara sauce and cooked pasta to the pan and stir to combine. Then add in your goat cheese, and little pasta water (about 2 tablespoons worth), and salt and pepper, and mix well to combine. Let warm through, about 1 minute. If needed, add more pasta water if you want a thinner sauce.
Enjoy! Top with toppings of choice and enjoy!

video

notes

nutrition will vary depending on the chicken sausages you use

nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Sausage Pasta

Amount Per Serving (1 serving (1/4 of recipe))

Calories 451 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 3.9g24%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1.2g

Monounsaturated Fat 3.4g

Cholesterol 69mg23%

Sodium 1199mg52%

Potassium 604mg17%

Carbohydrates 53g18%

Fiber 9.5g40%

Sugar 7.6g8%

Protein 30g60%

Vitamin A 556IU11%

Vitamin C 36mg44%

Calcium 80mg8%

Iron 5.2mg29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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