Cherry Tomato & Chicken Sausage Pasta Recipe for Quick Weeknights

This Cherry Tomato and Chicken Sausage Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s full of bright, summery flavor from cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. Ready in about 25 minutes, it’s perfect for busy evenings and showcases peak tomato flavor when in season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This pasta comes together quickly and requires just a handful of everyday ingredients. The cherry tomatoes simmer down into a light, fragrant sauce with garlic and olive oil, while the chicken sausage adds savory depth. Serve with a simple side salad or crusty bread for an easy, satisfying dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

• Pasta: 8 ounces of your favorite pasta shape. Rotini, ziti, or penne work well.
• Chicken Sausage: 1/2 pound mild Italian chicken sausage, casing removed. Raw sausage can be squeezed from the casing and broken up while cooking; pre-cooked sausage may be sliced and browned before adding.
• Cherry Tomatoes: 1 pint, quartered. These simmer with garlic and olive oil to form the sauce.
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced.
• Olive Oil: 1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon, divided.
• Seasoning: Sea salt and a dash of crushed red pepper to taste.
• Toppings: Fresh basil, sliced, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up, until cooked through and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Wipe the skillet with a damp paper towel. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and warm over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook about 1 minute, until fragrant and lightly golden.
4. Add the quartered cherry tomatoes and a pinch of sea salt. Simmer the tomatoes over low to medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, loosening and softening them into a sauce while the pasta cooks.
5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
6. Add the drained pasta and the cooked sausage back into the skillet with the tomatoes. Stir in the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta. Season with a dash of crushed red pepper and adjust salt to taste.
7. Serve immediately topped with sliced fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.

More Pasta Recipes

• Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
• Creamy Vegetable Pasta
• Lemon Kale Pasta with Salmon
• Butternut Squash Pasta with Pancetta

Cherry Tomato and Chicken Sausage Pasta

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Dishes
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American