Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta
This Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta is a comforting one-skillet dinner made with chicken sausage, penne pasta, spinach, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella. A simple, flavorful meal ready in about 30 minutes.
Print
Pin
Servings: 6
Ingredients
For the Marinara Sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cups diced red onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
For the Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken sausage cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 –6 cups baby spinach
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pasta once it has been assembled.
Step 2: Prepare the Marinara Sauce
- Heat 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-safe sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced red onions and cook for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the honey, parsley, basil, and oregano. Season the sauce with salt according to taste and cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat. The sauce should yield approximately 2½ to 3 cups.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
- Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and season it with a generous pinch of salt.
- Add the penne pasta and cook for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the pasta reaches your preferred level of tenderness. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken Sausage and Spinach
- Heat 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped chicken sausage and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is fully cooked and lightly browned.
- Add the prepared marinara sauce and stir to combine. Cook for approximately 1 minute until heated through.
- Add the baby spinach and gently fold it into the sauce. Allow the spinach to wilt, which should take about 30 seconds.
Step 5: Assemble the Pasta
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and stir until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce mixture.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.
Step 6: Bake the Pasta
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned around the edges.
- For a quicker alternative, the baking step may be skipped. Instead, stir the cheese directly into the pasta until it melts and becomes incorporated.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
- Remove the pasta from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the pasta warm.
Notes
To prepare this Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta as a gluten-free dish, simply substitute the regular penne pasta with a certified gluten-free pasta, such as rice, corn, or chickpea pasta.
Additionally, check the chicken sausage and crushed tomatoes labels to ensure they are certified gluten-free, as some brands may include additives or seasonings that contain gluten.
All remaining ingredients in the recipe are naturally gluten-free, making this an easy dish to adapt without compromising flavor.