Chicken Sausage and Pasta with Pesto
Chicken Sausage and Pasta with Pesto is a delightful dish that brings together savory flavors and vibrant colors, making it perfect for any occasion. This easy-to-follow recipe features tender chicken sausage, al dente pasta, and fresh basil pesto, creating a comforting meal that feels like a warm hug.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz chicken sausage (sliced)
- 8 oz pasta (fusilli or your choice)
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups fresh spinach or arugula
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet; sauté until tomatoes soften, around 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in spinach or arugula and sauté until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Lower the heat and mix in the pesto sauce along with reserved pasta water until combined.
- Gently fold in the drained pasta until coated with sauce. Adjust seasoning if necessary before serving with grated Parmesan on top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 350g)
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Substitute chicken sausage with turkey or veggie alternatives for dietary preferences. For homemade pesto, blend fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil to taste. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for up to three months.