Chicken Sausage Pasta Skillet

I love me a GOOD and easy pasta dish and this pasta skillet is so deliciously cravable and seriously could not be easier.  Pasta with a flavorful creamy tomato sauce is a major comfort food for my house.  It's just one of my go-to dinners when I have no idea what to make.  

This recipe is pretty special.  The chicken sausage in the sauce is such an unexpected addition, it's perfect if you are keeping things lean and beef-free, like we are at the moment.  This dish is everything and more.  It's comforting. It’s satisfying. The sauce can be used in so many ways: as a traditional pasta sauce, as a sauce on top of a bed of zoodles. You could even throw it on top of some butternut noodles for squash creation.

This recipe begins with caramelized mushrooms, then shallots... and onions. I mean – that combination alone is the biggest flavor builder of them all! After those big hitters, some rich tomato paste is added to deepen the flavors. The pan is deglazed with some red wine (hello!).  Hit it with some dried herbs and seasonings to amp things up a bit... and a touch of cream... Parmesan of course!

IT’S JUST SO GOOD. Here's how you make this yumminess happen:

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, divided

1 Tablespoon Butter

1 Package of Chicken Sausage, thinly sliced

1/2 Cup Fresh Mushroom, finely diced

1 Small Onion, finely diced

1/2 Small Shallot, finely diced

2 Garlic Cloves, crushed

2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste

1/4 Cup of Red Wine (Optional)

2 23 Ounce Cans Crushed Tomatoes

2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning

2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano

2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder

2 Tablespoons Onion Powder

1-2 Tablespoons Sugar (more or less to taste)

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/2 Cup Heavy Cream

1/4 Cup Fresh Parmesan Cheese

Cooked Pasta of your choice!

{Thinly slice your chicken sausage. I used hot Italian style but you could use any flavor you like.}

{In a large skillet over medium high heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil and pan fry your chicken sausage until golden brown on both sides. This will develop extra flavor in the dish.}

{Remove the browned chicken sausage from the pan and set aside while you get started on the sauce.}

{Finely dice your mushroom, onion and shallot.}

{In the same skillet, add a tablespoon of oil and a tablespoon of butter, then the finely diced mushrooms and saute for about 5 minutes or so or until golden brown.}

{Add in the diced shallots and onion and continue to cook until they are all caramelized, 5-7 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.}

When the mushrooms, onion and shallots are all golden brown, add in your garlic at the end.}

{Add the tomato paste and mix well for about a minute to combine.}

{Next, add in your wine to deglaze the pan. Mix well to combine the tomato paste and sauteed onions and mushrooms.}

{Add the can of crushed tomatoes to the tomato paste mixture. Real talk: you can also add in jarred tomato sauce.  I won't say a word! :)}

{Add in your seasonings and taste for perfection.}

{Add the browned chicken sausage and mix.}

{Let this simmer for about 15 minutes so the flavors can meld together beautifully.}

{Add in your heavy cream and stir.  Do not skip this part, it adds the perfect amount of richness and creaminess!}

{Simmer for a few minutes more and top with Parmesan cheese.}

{Look how deliciously rich and cheesy this sauce is!  I love the bites of chicken sausage throughout. It's just SO flavorful.}

{Make your pasta of choice to combine with the sauce and you have yourself an amazing dinner for any occasion!! I used the cutest butterfly/heart shaped pasta that I picked up from a specialty food store.  Yum!}

xoxo, thanks for reading and sharing!