Description
Indulgent Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta is a flavorful one-pan dish combining tender seared chicken, smoky sausage, and spicy Pepper Jack cheese in a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe boasts a smooth, cheesy texture balanced by aromatic garlic and onion powders, served over perfectly cooked al dente penne pasta. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Penne Pasta
Protein
- 1 pound Chicken Breast (seared until golden)
- 8 ounces Smoked Sausage (sliced)
Sauce
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- To taste Salt
- To taste Pepper
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon Parsley (chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil over high heat. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper, then sear for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Brown the Sausage: In the same skillet, add the sliced smoked sausage and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside with the chicken.
- Make the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and deglaze the skillet with heavy cream, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in garlic powder and onion powder, simmering gently for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Add Cheese: Gradually stir in the freshly grated Pepper Jack cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more cream to achieve desired consistency.
- Combine All Ingredients: Return the cooked penne pasta, seared chicken, and browned sausage to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the creamy pepper jack sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh burst of color and flavor. Enjoy your indulgent creamy pepper jack pasta!
Notes
- You can substitute penne with any other pasta shape like rigatoni or fusilli.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Pepper Jack cheese for the best melting and flavor.
- Make sure to not overcook the pasta; al dente texture complements the creamy sauce well.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid sauce separation.
