Irresistible One Pan Creamy Pesto Pasta With Sausage Recipe

Creamy pesto pasta crafts ordinary ingredients into a spectacular meal that promises comfort and excitement.

Rich, velvety sauces merge with hearty proteins for an unforgettable dining experience.

This remarkable dish blends Italian-inspired flavors with modern cooking techniques to create something truly magical.

Home cooks appreciate quick, delicious meals that minimize cleanup and maximize satisfaction.

Robust herbs and robust seasonings dance together, creating layers of complexity that surprise and delight.

Weeknight dinners demand simplicity without sacrificing flavor, and this recipe delivers precisely that combination.

Professional chefs and kitchen novices alike will find joy in preparing this crowd-pleasing masterpiece.

Why One Pan Creamy Pesto Pasta with Sausage Is a Time Saver

• Speedy One-Pan Wonder: This recipe eliminates multiple dirty dishes and streamlines the cooking process, making dinner preparation quick and hassle-free for busy home cooks.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort Meal: The combination of creamy pesto, savory chicken sausage, and toasted pine nuts creates a rich, satisfying dish that delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort.
• Adaptable & Customizable Cuisine: Easily swap ingredients like adding spinach, using different protein options, or adjusting cheese quantities allows personalization while maintaining the recipe's delicious core essence.
• Texture-Rich Culinary Experience: Crispy toasted pine nuts provide a delightful crunch against the creamy pasta, while browned sausage adds a delectable meaty dimension to every single bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Creamy Pesto Pasta

• Chicken Sausage: Lean protein that adds a savory flavor and hearty texture to the pasta dish.
• Pine Nuts: Provides a rich, buttery crunch and nutty flavor to complement the pasta.

• Pasta: Serves as the main carbohydrate base of the dish, absorbing the creamy sauce.
• Water: Helps cook the pasta and create the sauce's liquid base.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creates a smooth, creamy texture for the sauce.

• Pesto Sauce: Brings a classic herbal and garlicky flavor to the entire dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty, umami taste and helps thicken the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté the sausage and prevents sticking in the pan.
• Spinach (Optional): Adds a fresh, nutritious green element to the pasta.

Easy Steps for One Pan Pesto Sausage Pasta

Step 1: Toast the Pine Nuts

Place pine nuts in a dry 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 4 minutes until golden brown, stirring constantly. Transfer toasted nuts to a small bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Sear the Sausage

Add olive oil to the same skillet and heat to medium-high. Cook sliced chicken sausage for 5 minutes until nicely browned on all sides. Remove sausage from pan and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Pasta Base

• Water
• Heavy cream
• Pesto sauce

Pour entire box of pasta into the skillet and cover with the liquid mixture. Increase heat to high and cook pasta for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Finish and Garnish

• Parmesan cheese
• Spinach (optional)

Continue stirring until cheese melts and spinach wilts. Top with toasted pine nuts and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Pesto Pasta Tips for a Creamy Finish

• Master Pine Nut Toasting: Watch carefully and stir constantly to prevent burning, as pine nuts can quickly go from golden to burnt.
• Select Quality Sausage: Choose fresh chicken sausage with robust flavor to enhance the overall dish's taste profile.
• Control Liquid Ratio: Adjust water or cream slightly if pasta seems too dry or wet during cooking process, ensuring perfect creamy consistency.
• Maximize Cheese Melting: Remove pan from heat before adding Parmesan to prevent cheese from becoming grainy or separating.
• Boost Fresh Flavors: Add fresh basil leaves or extra chopped herbs right before serving to brighten the pesto's already delicious taste.

How to Save and Reheat Pesto Pasta Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Seal leftover pasta in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container tightly closed to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Microwave Reheating: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and cover with a microwave-safe lid. Heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Stovetop Revival: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Gently stir until the pasta reaches the desired temperature, typically 3-4 minutes.

Dishes That Go Great with Creamy Pesto Pasta

• Enhance Wine Pairing: Complement the creamy pesto pasta with a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which cuts through the richness and highlights the herbal pesto notes.
• Refresh with Salad Side: Serve a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's creaminess, adding a zesty contrast and fresh green crunch to the meal.
• Crusty Bread Companion: Include a rustic Italian bread or focaccia to soak up the delicious sauce, providing a perfect textural element and additional flavor absorption.
• Cool Beverage Option: Pair with sparkling water or a light Italian-style beer like Peroni to cleanse the palate and refresh between creamy, herbaceous bites of the pasta.

Pesto Pasta Variations to Try

• Mediterranean Veggie Delight: Replace chicken sausage with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and artichoke hearts for a vegetarian version packed with Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Chorizo Kick: Swap chicken sausage with spicy chorizo and add red pepper flakes to create a bold, zesty pasta that brings heat to the table.
• Seafood Fusion: Substitute sausage with succulent shrimp or tender chunks of white fish, enhancing the dish with a light and fresh ocean-inspired profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free, making the recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions.

One Pan Creamy Pesto Pasta With Sausage Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy pesto pasta with sausage delivers Italian comfort right to your kitchen. Hearty sausage, silky sauce, and perfectly twirled noodles promise a delicious meal that satisfies quickly and effortlessly.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 4 links fully cooked chicken sausage, sliced into ¼-inch slices

Main Pasta and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 12-ounce (340 grams) box Barilla® Pronto™ Penne
• 3 cups water

Flavor and Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 1 6.3-ounce (178 grams) jar Barilla® Pesto sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped (optional)
• Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
• Additional grated parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Carefully toast pine nuts in a dry 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, gently stirring every 30 seconds until they turn a rich golden-brown color, approximately 4 minutes. Transfer the fragrant nuts to a separate plate and reserve.
2. Drizzle olive oil into the same skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Sauté sliced chicken sausage until edges are crisp and caramelized, rotating pieces for even browning, about 5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside.
3. Whisk together water, heavy cream (236 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces), and pesto sauce directly in the skillet. Add entire package of pasta, ensuring each piece is coated with the creamy liquid mixture.
4. Elevate heat to high, allowing pasta to simmer and absorb liquid, stirring consistently to prevent sticking. Cook for approximately 10 minutes until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture and sauce thickens.
5. Remove skillet from heat source. Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese (45 grams / ) and optional fresh spinach leaves, continuously stirring until cheese melts and spinach slightly wilts.
6. Garnish the creamy pasta with reserved toasted pine nuts and additional Parmesan cheese, creating a visually appealing and flavorful one-pan meal.

Notes

• Toasting pine nuts unlocks their rich, nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the dish.
• Use pre-cooked chicken sausage for quicker preparation and easier slicing.
• One-pan method saves cleanup time and helps ingredients develop deeper, more complex flavors.
• Heavy cream creates a luxurious, silky sauce that perfectly coats every pasta strand.
• Fresh spinach adds a pop of color, extra nutrients, and a mild earthy taste to the creamy pasta.
• Stirring frequently prevents pasta from sticking and ensures even cooking and sauce distribution.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 640 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 46 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg