Total Time: 30 minutes | Yield: 6 servings
Get ready to fall in love with this irresistible One-Pot Smoky Cheddar Ranch Chicken & Sausage Pasta — the ultimate comfort food mashup. This quick dinner idea is loaded with smoky sausage, tender chicken, creamy ranch-seasoned cheddar sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta all in a single pot. It’s a weeknight dream for busy cooks and a deliciously cheesy crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re searching for an easy recipe, family-friendly dinner ideas, or a cozy food idea to warm up a chilly evening, this pasta checks every box. Rich, creamy, savory, and soul-satisfying — it’s a one-pot wonder that belongs in your weekly rotation.
Ingredients
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
1 lb chicken breast, cubed
12 oz rotini or penne pasta
4 cups chicken broth
1 packet (or 2 tbsp) ranch seasoning mix
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup heavy cream
1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: ½ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
In a large pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add cubed chicken breast. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Pour chicken broth into the pot and add the dry pasta. Stir in ranch seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
Return sausage and chicken to the pot. Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Let sit for 5 minutes before serving to thicken. Enjoy!
Notes
• Use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked sausage to save even more time.
• Swap cheddar for a blend like Colby-Jack or pepper jack for extra flavor.
• Want more veggies? Toss in some spinach or frozen peas before adding the cheese.
One-Pot Smoky Cheddar Ranch Chicken & Sausage Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Get ready to fall in love with this irresistible One-Pot Smoky Cheddar Ranch Chicken & Sausage Pasta — the ultimate comfort food mashup. This quick dinner idea is loaded with smoky sausage, tender chicken, creamy ranch-seasoned cheddar sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta all in a single pot. It’s a weeknight dream for busy cooks and a deliciously cheesy crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re searching for an easy recipe, family-friendly dinner ideas, or a cozy food idea to warm up a chilly evening, this pasta checks every box. Rich, creamy, savory, and soul-satisfying — it’s a one-pot wonder that belongs in your weekly rotation.
Ingredients
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
1 lb chicken breast, cubed
12 oz rotini or penne pasta
4 cups chicken broth
1 packet (or 2 tbsp) ranch seasoning mix
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup heavy cream
1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: ½ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
In a large pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add cubed chicken breast. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Pour chicken broth into the pot and add the dry pasta. Stir in ranch seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
Return sausage and chicken to the pot. Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Let sit for 5 minutes before serving to thicken. Enjoy!
Notes
• Use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked sausage to save even more time.
• Swap cheddar for a blend like Colby-Jack or pepper jack for extra flavor.
• Want more veggies? Toss in some spinach or frozen peas before adding the cheese.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 580
- Protein: 35g
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, but it’s best served fresh. If reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
What kind of sausage works best? Smoked sausage, kielbasa, or andouille all add great flavor.
Can I make it spicier? Definitely! Add red pepper flakes or use spicy sausage.