Hearty Baked Pasta with Chicken (or Turkey) Sausage: Your Next Family Favorite
Discover a truly delicious and satisfying baked pasta dish, brimming with savory chicken sausage and a rich, creamy sauce. This recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd, making a generous 9×13 pan that’s ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or even as a thoughtful meal to share with friends. Prepare to make this a staple in your culinary rotation!
There are some meals that just hit different – they’re not just food, they’re an experience. This baked pasta with chicken (or turkey) sausage is precisely one of those. It holds the esteemed title of my husband’s all-time favorite meal, standing proudly alongside his beloved Sweet and Sour Chicken. For him, this dish is not merely a meal; it’s a culinary masterpiece he requests time and again, embodying the quality and flavor one would expect from a truly exceptional restaurant.
Why This Baked Pasta Stands Out
What makes this baked pasta a standout dish? It’s chock-full of incredible ingredients that harmonize perfectly to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Imagine tender, perfectly cooked noodles swimming in a luscious, creamy cheese sauce. Add to that the savory depth of flavorful chicken or turkey sausage, providing delightful little nuggets of protein in every bite. The robust tomato sauce is not just a base; it’s packed with fresh spinach, adding a vibrant touch of green and extra nutrients. The combination creates a hearty, comforting, and utterly satisfying meal that’s both simple to prepare and impressive to serve.
This recipe yields a generous 9×13 pan, ensuring there’s plenty to go around. It’s an ideal choice when you need to bring a dish to a potluck, a new parent, or anyone who could use a comforting homemade meal. If you happen to be preparing a smaller batch or halving the recipe, you might find yourself with an overflow that fits perfectly into an 8×8-inch dish, as seen in some of our photos – rest assured, the full recipe is designed for a larger, family-sized portion.
The Versatility and Flavor of Chicken Sausage
For those who might hesitate, don’t be afraid of the sausage! The chicken or turkey sausage in this dish is genuinely delicious, adding a fantastic layer of flavor and texture that truly elevates the entire meal. We adore the tender, savory pieces so much that I’ve incorporated this versatile ingredient into many other pasta and rice dishes. It’s pre-cooked and often comes in a U-shape, making it incredibly easy to prepare – just slice and add! Brands like Jennie-O offer a great option, typically found in the refrigerated section near hotdogs or kielbasa. Its mild yet distinct flavor pairs wonderfully with the creamy tomato sauce and melty cheese, ensuring every forkful is packed with goodness.
Trust us on this one: make this dish. You absolutely will not be disappointed. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that delivers on flavor, comfort, and ease.
FAQs for Baked Pasta with Chicken Sausage
Absolutely! This baked pasta is fantastic for meal prepping. The best way to freeze it is to prepare the entire recipe up until the baking step. Let the casserole cool completely before wrapping. Then, seal it really well – use a double layer of aluminum foil and place the entire covered pan in a large freezer-safe ziploc bag. Try to press out all the air (or even use a straw to suck out the air) to prevent freezer burn and ice crystals. It will keep beautifully for a couple of months in the freezer. When you’re ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed, or bake covered from frozen for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Yes, definitely! While the recipe calls for a red onion, you can absolutely use a white onion or any other onion you have on hand. The subtle difference in flavor will not detract from the overall deliciousness of the dish, making it flexible for whatever you have in your pantry.
Yes, you can! Whipping cream and heavy cream are very similar in fat content and can be used interchangeably in most recipes, including this one. The goal is to achieve a rich, creamy consistency for the sauce, and whipping cream will do the job perfectly.
What to Serve With This Comforting Pasta
This hearty baked pasta pairs wonderfully with a variety of simple and elegant sides to complete your meal. Consider these delicious options:
- A steamed green veggie like broccoli or green beans adds a fresh, light contrast. For something a little fancier and incredibly flavorful, try this Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon.
- No pasta dish is complete without a warm, crusty bread. Serve with classic Divine Breadsticks or bake up a batch of these Fluffy Whole Wheat Rolls to sop up every last bit of the delicious sauce.
- A side of fresh, cool Cottage Cheese provides a simple, refreshing balance to the rich pasta.
Baked Pasta with Chicken Sausage
8
Servings
15 mins
55 mins
1 hr 10 mins
Pin
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ cup heavy cream (or whipping cream)
- 1 pound rigatoni (or other tube pasta)
- 10 ounces frozen baby spinach, thawed and drained well (can substitute 1 or 2 9-oz. bags fresh spinach)
- 12 ounces precooked smoked chicken, or turkey sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick (see note below for brand information)
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, 4 ounces cut into 1/2-inch cubes and 4 ounces shredded
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta. In a separate large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped red onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent, which should take about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
-
Add the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and dried basil to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. Pour in the heavy cream and continue to cook until the sauce is warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season the sauce generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
-
While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C). Cook the rigatoni (or your chosen pasta) in the boiling salted water according to package directions, but aim for about one minute less than the suggested al dente time. This slight undercooking ensures the pasta finishes perfectly in the oven without becoming mushy. If you are using fresh spinach instead of frozen, add it to the pot of boiling pasta right at the very end of the cooking time, allowing it to wilt for just a minute. Drain the pasta and return it to the large pot.
-
To the pot with the pasta, add the prepared tomato sauce, sliced chicken or turkey sausage, drained spinach, and the cubed mozzarella cheese. Toss everything gently to ensure the pasta and sausage are thoroughly coated in the rich sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Scoop the pasta mixture into a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking pan. If you’re using smaller dishes, divide the mixture evenly between two 8×8-inch pans.
-
Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully browned and bubbly, and the edges of the pasta are slightly crisp. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Chicken Sausage: I typically find precooked smoked chicken or turkey sausage in the same section of the grocery store as hotdogs, often next to kielbasa and chorizo. My preferred brand is Jennie-O, which usually comes in a convenient U-shape, making it easy to slice and incorporate into the dish. Ensure you’re using precooked sausage to save time and simplify the recipe.
Mel
Main Course
American
Bake
Serving:
1
Serving
,
Calories:
505
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
55
g
,
Protein:
24
g
,
Fat:
22
g
,
Saturated Fat:
9
g
,
Cholesterol:
75
mg
,
Sodium:
841
mg
,
Fiber:
5
g
,
Sugar:
7
g
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted from Martha Stewart Everyday Food