Caprese Penne Pasta with Chicken Sausage

This 20-minute Caprese Penne Pasta with Chicken Sausage is a quick, one-pot meal packed with savory chicken sausage, melty mozzarella, and basil for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner!

Sometimes, you need a meal that’s fast, satisfying, and packed with flavor—and this 20-minute Caprese Penne Pasta with Chicken Sausage checks all the boxes. With protein-rich chicken sausage, high-fiber pasta, and classic caprese flavors like tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, this dish is a nutritious and delicious option for busy weeknights.

Just like my Lemon Garlic Rice and Shrimp Bowls and Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Soup, this recipe cooks up in one pot– making clean-up as easy as can be. Just a little slicing and chopping and this recipe is ready to go.  Whether you’re feeding your family or just need a quick, healthy meal for yourself, this easy chicken sausage pasta is sure to become a go-to!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click and purchase from the link (at no cost to you!). See full privacy policy, disclosure, and affiliate information here.

Why you’ll love this easy caprese pasta

• Quick and simple: Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal prep.
• One-pan meal: Less cleanup and more time to enjoy dinner.
• High in protein: Using lentil pasta or another high-protein pasta adds extra staying power.
• Indulgent and healthy: This pasta tastes indulgent but is loaded with nutrient-rich ingredients for a healthy and satisfying weeknight meal. 

What you need to make this caprese chicken sausage pasta

• Penne pasta: Use any type of pasta you’d like, but I prefer to use a high-protein pasta like this lentil pasta or 3 Farm Daughters Pasta, which is my favorite high-fiber, high-protein wheat-based pasta! 
• Chicken sausage: Pre-cooked chicken sausages like Amylu or Bilinski’s, sliced into ½ inch rounds. 
• Olive oil: Adds richness and helps with sautéing.
• Onion & garlic: Essential for building flavor.
• Chicken broth: Use chicken bullion in water, boxed chicken broth, homemade, or even Instant Pot Vegetable broth for flavor! 
• Petite diced tomatoes: Caprese flavor without the hassle of fresh tomatoes (and did you know canned tomatoes have even more antioxidants than fresh?!)
• Italian seasoning & basil: For a herby taste- you can always use fresh basil here too– just stir it in at the end! 
• Mozzarella cheese: for melty, cheesy goodness! 
• Balsamic glaze (optional): While this is optional, it adds such a delicious sweet and tangy flavor— I highly recommend it! 

How to make caprese penne pasta with chicken sausage

1. Sauté the onion and chicken sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced chicken sausage, cooking for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned and the onion softens.
2.  Make the sauce and cook the pasta: Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a low boil, add the penne pasta, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover. Let the pasta cook according to package directions.
3. Finish with cheese & basil: Once pasta is cooked al dente, remove the cover and turn the heat off. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the pasta and gently toss until slightly melted. Stir in fresh basil or sprinkle with additional dried basil.
4. Serve & enjoy: Divide into bowls and drizzle with balsamic glaze, if using. Add extra cheese if desired. Serve warm with an optional side of garlic bread or a fresh salad.

How to make this recipe even easier

Need to make this meal with even less effort? Here are some easy shortcuts:

• Use pre-diced onions and minced garlic to save time.
• Swap fresh basil for extra dried basil for less chopping.
• Use fully cooked pasta and stir it into the sauce at the end.
• Pre-shredded mozzarella melts just as well and speeds up prep.

Variations or How to make this recipe your own

• Make it vegetarian: Use plant-based sausage or mushrooms instead of the sausage for a hearty, meatless option.
• Try a different cheese: Instead of shredded mozzarella, toss in a few mozzarella pearls or sprinkle in some parmesan cheese. 
• Add more veggies: Spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes would all go well with this pasta. 
• Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Use a different pasta: Try different shapes like elbow, rigatoni, or cavatappi or change up the pasta type by using chickpea, pea, or edamame pasta. 

Tips

• Cook the pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t get mushy, especially if you’re planning on eating leftovers! 
• Let the sausage brown slightly for extra flavor. 
• Finish with balsamic glaze for the perfect sweet and tangy touch, and sprinkle extra cheese on top just before serving

Make ahead, freezing, and storage instructions

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors get even better as it sits, so this is a great dish to make for leftovers.

Reheat: Reheat by adding to a pot or pan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Or you can heat in the microwave, covered, heating 60-90 seconds until warm. Add a splash of broth or water before reheating to keep the pasta from drying out.

Freezing: This dish is best fresh, but if freezing, store it without the cheese and add it after it’s been thawed in the refrigerator overnight and reheated. 

Recipe: 20-Minute Caprese Penne Pasta with Chicken Sausage

Print