Cheesy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake

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Oh man friends. This Cheesy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake couldn't be easier or more delicious!

A skillet with cheesy chicken sausage pasta bake on a wooden platter.


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    Why I Love This Recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake is truly one of the most comforting and easy weeknight meals to put together. You know I love a recipe that only has 4 steps in the directions. Speaking my language!

    Quickly bake some rigatoni or ziti, add it to some cooked sausage, and then make a quick tomato sauce with herbs, cream and onions... ugh it's truly perfection. Into the oven and then it's time for dinner. I've been serving it with this butter lettuce salad that compliments just about every dish in the world!

    An overhead close up shot of cheesy chicken sausage pasta bake.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Mise en place of all ingredients to make cheesy chicken sausage pasta bake.
    • Rigatoni or Ziti
    • Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Oregano
    • Thyme
    • Red Pepper Flakes
    • Tomatoes
    • Heavy Cream
    • Mozzarella
    • Kosher Salt
    • Black Pepper freshly ground

    *For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.

    How to Make Cheesy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake

    A colander with boiled pasta drained in it.

    Step 1: Preheat oven to 350F. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta, and set it aside.

    A dutch oven with chopped onions, chicken sausage and herbs being sautéed.

    Step 2: Remove the casings from the sausage. In a large skillet, combine the sausage, onion, and herbs over medium heat until browned, for about 10 minutes until the meat is golden brown.

    A dutch oven with onions and chicken sausage being sautéed and garlic just added

    Step 3: Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.

    A dutch oven with chicken sausage with sautéed and crushed tomatoes and heavy cream just added.

    Step 4: Add the crushed tomatoes and heavy cream and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

    A dutch oven with a tomato sauce with chicken sausage, and boiled pasta and shredded mozzarella added to it.

    Step 5: Combine cooked pasta and sausage mixture, and the shredded mozzarella and stir to combine.

    A casserole dish with the chicken sausage pasta added to it, and topped with pieces of mozzarella cheese, ready to be baked.

    Step 6: Place the pasta mixture in a large casserole dish.

    A casserole dish with cheesy chicken sausage pasta bake fresh out of the oven.

    Step 7: Top with the fresh mozzarella and bake for 30 minutes until bubbly. Serve immediately.

    How to Store Cheesy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake

    You can store the cheesy chicken sausage pasta bake in the fridge tightly wrapped for about 3 days. You can heat it in the oven till its warmed through and the cheese is bubbly.

    How to Freeze Cheesy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake

    You can freeze this pre or post bake and have it on hand for those busy weeknights.

    Tips & Tricks

    Ziti is the classic shape for baked pasta, but you can use any short pasta you'd like.

    FAQs

    Yes! You can sub the chicken sausage with pork sausage.

    Similar Recipes

    If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today

    Cheesy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake

    Author: Gaby Dalkin
    4.5 from 15 votes
    This Cheesy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake is truly one of my favorite weeknight meals when I'm needing something flavorful, fast and comforting!
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 50 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings people
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb rigatoni or ziti
    • 1 lb sweet italian chicken sausage
    • 1 onion, roughly chopped
    • 6 cloves garlic chopped
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 2 ½ cups crushed tomatoes
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
    • 1 cup fresh mozzarella cut into bite sized pieces
    • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°.
    • Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta, and set it aside.
    • Remove the casings from the sausage. In a large skillet, combine the sausage, onion, and herbs over medium heat until browned, for about 10 minutes until the meat is golden brown. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds before adding the crushed tomatoes and heavy cream and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
    • Combine cooked pasta and sausage mixture, and the shredded mozzarella and stir to combine. Place the pasta mixture in a large casserole dish. Top with the fresh mozzarella and bake for 30 minutes until bubbly. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Ziti is the classic shape for baked pasta, but you can use any short pasta you'd like.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 767kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 934mg | Potassium: 749mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 820IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 282mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @WhatsGabyCookin or tag #whatsgabycooking!

    23 Comments

    1. 5 stars
      So quick and easy and delicious, I added mushrooms and spinach to get some veggies in there, but definitely an easy staple.

    2. 4 stars
      This tasted so so yummy!
      I used beyond spicy italian sausage and added chopped bell pepper (daughter is vegetarian) followed recipe exact, and have plenty for leftovers too. The whole family loved it!
      Was asked to add this to the rotation!

    3. 5 stars
      Was looking for a cheesy pasta bake situation for this chilly rainy fall day and stumbled across this. Delicious!

    4.47 from 15 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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