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Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta Recipe

Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta Recipe
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4.8 from 30 reviews

Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, packed with tender chicken, smoky sausage, and pasta coated in a rich, spicy pepper jack cheese sauce. Perfect for cozy weeknights or impressing guests, this dish balances bold flavors with creamy indulgence.

Ingredients

Pasta:

  • 340 g penne pasta

Meat:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 450 g chicken breast, diced
  • 225 g smoked sausage, sliced

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
  2. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and paprika, and sear until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Brown Sausage: In the same skillet, brown the smoked sausage slices until crisp at the edges. Set aside.
  4. Prepare Sauce: Reduce heat to medium, add butter, sauté onion and garlic until soft and fragrant. Pour in heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the pan. Gradually whisk in pepper jack cheese until smooth and creamy. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed.
  5. Combine and Simmer: Return chicken, sausage, and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce and simmer for 1–2 minutes to blend flavors.
  6. Serve: Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated pepper jack cheese for the smoothest sauce.
  • Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for extra heat.
  • Reheat leftovers with a splash of cream or milk to restore creaminess.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/creamy-pepper-jack-pasta-recipe/