This Cheesy Ranch Chicken and Sausage Pasta is a flavor-packed comfort food favorite that brings together tender pasta, juicy chicken, and smoky sausage in a creamy ranch-seasoned cheese sauce. Each bite delivers rich, savory goodness with a touch of tang from the ranch and seared meats to the perfectly cooked penne.
For me the sausage adds a deep, smoky flavor while the chicken soaks up the creamy sauce . This one-pan meal that’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners when you want something filling and crave-worthy.
Best Pasta Options For This Recipe
Penne
A top choice thanks to its hollow shape and ridges, which grab onto the creamy ranch sauce beautifully.
Rotini
The spiral shape holds the sauce well and mixes easily with sliced sausage and chunks of chicken.
Rigatoni
Similar to penne but larger, rigatoni gives a heartier bite and captures sauce and meat in every tube.
Farfalle (Bowties)
Their flat surface and pinched center hold creamy sauces and pair nicely with the textures of sausage and chicken.
Shells (Medium or Large)
Shells scoop up bits of meat and cheese sauce, making every bite extra flavorful.
Stick with short, sturdy pasta shapes that can stand up to a thick sauce and the weight of the proteins. Avoid long pastas like spaghetti or angel hair, which won’t hold the sauce as well.
Cheesy Ranch Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound Smoked Sausage
- 1 pound Boneless Chicken Breast diced
- 12 oz Penne Pasta
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese
- ½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 4 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 packet Ranch Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 teaspoon Season Salt
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add sliced sausage cook until seared on both sides. Remove set aside.
- In the same pan add cubed chicken to the pan. Season lightly with season salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and golden brown. Remove set aside
- Pour chicken broth in the pan. Add pasta. Stir in the ranch seasoning until fully combined. Bring to boil. Reduce and simmer 10 to 12 mins. Cook until the pasta is tender.
- Add cooked chicken and sausage back to the pan. Combine.
- Stir in heavy whipping cream and cheese. Reduce heat to low. Mix until cheese melts
- Turn off heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or sliced green onions for a fresh finish. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, cheesy, ranch-seasoned pasta!
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Kris says
Tried this tonight and it was very good! I added some peas because I was out of broccoli, but either veggie is a great add for a complete meal. I also Sautéed a chopped onion with the sausage and 4 cloves of garlic.
I think an excellent variation for this that I will try in the future is the chicken with Blackening Seasoning.
thanks for the recipe. I especially appreciate the one pot and the new take on how to cook the pasta without needing to drain. Love it......quick and easy.