One Pot Chicken Apple Sausage Mac and Cheese

Name: One Pan Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces chicken apple sausage (fully cooked); 1 small onion (diced (about 1/2 cup)); 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1/2 cup apple juice; 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 2 cups low sodium chicken broth; 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes (undrained); 1 teaspoon dried sage; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 8 ounces cavatappi (uncooked) (or other small pasta (half of a 16 ounce package)); salt and pepper (to taste); 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar); 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley (for garnish)

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Nothing is more comforting than a big pan of sausage and creamy mac and cheese. Tender noodles and a creamy sauce mix perfectly with tender, sweet chicken apple sausage. And bonus – this is a 30 minute one pot meal, so the clean-up is a breeze!

chicken sausage mac and cheese in a skilelt

One pot meals are a great addition to your regular dinner routine. They make mealtime so easy! This Sausage Mac and Cheese will quickly become a family favorite that will please both kids and adults alike.

Like all of my one pot meals, this Sausage Mac and Cheese is incredibly easy to whip up when you’re in a hurry, since it takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients for Chicken Apple Sausage Mac and Cheese

Chicken Apple Sausage – found in the deli section this sausage is fully cooked. The cooking process is just about getting a nice sear and caramelization.
Onion and Garlic – for flavor.
Apple Juice – I promise this is a fantastic addition to this recipe!
White Wine Vinegar – for acid.
Chicken Broth – to cook the pasta and create the sauce.
Diced Tomatoes – Canned tomatoes add a tomaty flavor that goes well with the cheese.
Dried Sage – A savory herb that has a sweet note and paris well with pork and chicken.
Heavy Cream – for the sauce.
Pasta – I love the look of cavatappi (twirly macaroni) but all kinds of small cut pasta can be used.
Salt and Pepper
Sharp Cheddar Cheese – Freshly grated off the block. No pre-shredded cheese as they use a caking agent that prevents melting.
Parsley

How To Make One Pan Sausage Mac and Cheese

Heat some olive oil in a large skillet, then brown the sausage, onions, and garlic.
Start by browning the sausage and the onions, then add a bit of garlic. Make sure the flesh of the sausage sits against the hot skillet for a minute so it can get a nice sear.
Stir in some apple juice with a little white wine vinegar to help de-glaze the pan. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits as those are where you’ll find the real flavor.
Add the pasta along with diced tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, dried sage and of course a little salt and pepper. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer the pasta until it’s fully cooked.
Cook the pasta to al dente (there will be a little liquid still in the pan and that’s ok). Stir in some shredded cheddar which will melt and create the cheese sauce.

FAQs

Is the chicken sausage fully cooked?

Most chicken sausages, like the chicken apple sausage in this recipe, are fully cooked. You should check the package though, to be sure.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

While you can cook this one pot meal in advance if you really need to, it’s much better served fresh.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! The recipe as-is will serve at least 4 large portions or up to 6 smaller ones. If you need to double it, you can. Make sure to use at least a 5 quart pot to make sure you have enough room for the pasta to expand.

sausage mac and cheese in a skillet with a wooden spoon

Variations

Sausage: You can use any type of fully cooked sausage, like smoked sausage or a plain chicken sausage. You might want to swap out the apple juice for chicken broth if you do.

Cheese: I love the sharp cheddar with the sweet apple, but any kind of cheddar works well. You could also use Jack cheese or Fontina.

Pasta: Cavatappi looks so pretty in this dish. However any small cut pasta, like pasta shells, penne, or rotini can be used.

Vegetables: If you want to add some veggies, broccoli works well.

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve this with a big salad as a side dish. It really doesn’t need much else. Or add some Easy Oven Roasted Vegetables on the side.

Storage and Reheating

Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 60-90 seconds. Freezing is not recommended.

pasta, cheese and sausage mac and cheese in a bowl

More One Pot Meals to Try

Recipe

One Pan Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta

4.53 from 57 votes

Kristin Maxwell

Chicken & Apple Sausage Mac and Cheese has tender pasta with a savory sweet sausage all cooked in one pan for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings servings

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Ingredients

12 ounces chicken apple sausage fully cooked
1 small onion diced (about ½ cup)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces cavatappi (uncooked) or other small pasta (half of a 16 ounce package)
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded cheese cheddar
1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

In a 5 quart skillet or pot, heat about a tablespoon of olive over medium-high. Add sausage and onions and cook until onions are soft and sausage is browned. Add garlic and cook for about a minute.
Pour apple juice and white wine vinegar into the pan. Stir, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes, cream, pasta and seasonings. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring once, until pasta is tender.
Top with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and let cheese melt.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 60-90 seconds.

Doubling the recipe: The recipe as is will serve at least 4 large portions, or up to 6 smaller ones. If you need to double it, you can. Make sure to use at least a 5 quart pot to make sure you have enough room for the pasta to expand.

Keyword sausage mac and cheese, sausage pasta

Nutrition

Calories: 675kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 38gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 1710mgPotassium: 498mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1336IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 355mgIron: 3mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.