Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms
This Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms is a quick and easy dinner loaded with flavor! With garlic butter mushrooms, wilted spinach, and parmesan, this 30-minute recipe is perfect for cozy weeknights and busy families.
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Dish
If you’re looking for an easy, satisfying pasta recipe that hits the perfect balance between comfort and freshness, you’ve found it.
This Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta is:
Fast & flavorful: Ready in 30 minutes and packed with cozy, savory flavor.
Loaded with veggies: Fresh spinach and mushrooms make it wholesome without sacrificing comfort.
Made with chicken apple sausage: Slightly sweet, smoky, and savory all in one bite.
Perfect for weeknights or meal prep: Minimal cleanup and stores well for leftovers!
From the garlicky mushrooms to the parmesan-slicked noodles, every bite is craveable. This recipe is the kind of dish you’ll put on repeat.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this recipe has a purpose—and together, they create a delicious, layered pasta that feels indulgent but still balanced.
🍎 Chicken Apple Sausage (Two 12 oz links, sliced)
This slightly sweet and savory sausage brings a unique flavor that pairs beautifully with garlic, spinach, and parmesan. It’s pre-cooked, so you’re just browning it for texture and flavor.
Tip: Look for organic or uncured varieties with natural ingredients for the best flavor.
🍝 Pasta (12 oz)
Use your favorite shape—penne, rigatoni, bowtie, or even fettuccine. You want something with enough body to hold the sauce and veggie mix.
Pro Tip: Cook just until al dente so the pasta has a little bite and doesn’t get mushy when combined.
🧈 Butter (2 tbsp)
Butter adds richness to the base of the skillet and helps develop golden color on the sausage. It also plays well with the mushrooms and garlic for that classic comfort-food taste.
🫒 Olive Oil (2–3 tbsp)
Used to sauté and prevent sticking, olive oil gives this dish a subtle fruitiness and a little Mediterranean flair.
🧄 Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
Garlic infuses the mushrooms and broth with deep flavor. Sautéing it with butter and olive oil creates the aromatic backbone of this dish.
Tip: Don’t let it brown—just cook until fragrant!
🍄 Mushrooms (12–16 oz, sliced)
Mushrooms add meaty, earthy richness that balances the sweetness of the sausage. Any variety works—white button, baby bella, or cremini.
Optional: Add a splash of white wine for extra depth!
🌿 Spinach (6 cups fresh)
This wilts down to a manageable amount and brings a beautiful green color and freshness. It’s a great way to sneak in extra greens!
Swap Option: Try arugula or kale if you don’t have spinach on hand.
🍗 Chicken Broth (½ cup)
Used to deglaze the skillet and build flavor while keeping the dish light. The broth also helps create a light sauce to coat the pasta.
🧂 Italian Seasoning (1 tsp)
A classic blend of dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary that complements the sausage and vegetables.
🧄 Garlic Powder (1 tsp)
Adds a subtle roasted garlic flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh garlic.
🧀 Parmesan or Pecorino (½ cup, grated)
This salty, nutty cheese finishes the dish with a savory kick and melts into the warm pasta, creating a silky, cheesy coating.
Tip: Grate fresh for best flavor and meltability.
🌶 Red Pepper Flakes (1 tsp)
Adds a gentle heat to offset the sweetness of the sausage. Adjust to taste or omit if you're spice-sensitive.
🧂 Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Don’t forget to season each layer of the dish for balanced, flavorful results.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your 12 ounces of pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken apple sausage and brown each side, about 4–5 minutes. Once golden, remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Mushrooms
In the same skillet, add 2–3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for about 3 minutes, until softened and starting to brown.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently so it doesn’t burn.
Pour in a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up the flavorful brown bits. Remove mushrooms to a plate and set aside.
Step 4: Wilt the Spinach
Add a little more oil to the pan if needed, then add the 6 cups of spinach. Cook, stirring, until wilted—about 2–3 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Remove spinach and set aside.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet. Top with the sautéed spinach, mushrooms, and browned sausage.
Pour in the remaining chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, parmesan or pecorino, and red pepper flakes. Toss everything together until well coated and warmed through.
Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Step 6: Serve
Dish up into bowls and top with extra grated cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired.
What to Serve With It
This dish is hearty and satisfying on its own, but here are a few pairing ideas if you want to make it a full meal:
Garlic Bread or a crusty sourdough loaf
Simple Side Salad with lemon vinaigrette
Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Asparagus
Glass of chilled white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
Tips for Success
✔️ Use a large skillet – You want enough room to toss everything without overcrowding.
✔️ Don't overcook the pasta – It will continue to soften slightly when combined with the hot ingredients.
✔️ Add broth gradually – Just enough to loosen everything up without drowning it.
✔️ Taste as you go – Especially when seasoning with salt and cheese.
Make It Your Own
This recipe is endlessly customizable. Here are a few fun ways to tweak it:
🧄 Add onions – Sauté some sliced onions with the mushrooms for sweetness.
🧀 Make it creamier – Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of cream cheese for a richer finish.
🍅 Add sun-dried tomatoes – For a burst of tangy, umami flavor.
🌱 Use different greens – Swap spinach for baby kale, Swiss chard, or arugula.
🌾 Gluten-free version – Use gluten-free pasta and ensure your sausage and broth are certified gluten-free.
Storage & Reheating
Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or olive oil, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Freeze: Not recommended, as spinach and mushrooms can become watery.
Why This Recipe Works
This pasta brings together everything we love about comfort food—savory sausage, garlic, buttery mushrooms, tender greens, and cheese—all in one skillet. The combination of sweet and smoky flavors from the sausage with earthy mushrooms and cheesy pasta is a match made in weeknight dinner heaven.
It’s fast, satisfying, and packed with flavor, but still feels fresh thanks to the spinach and broth-based “sauce.”
Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms
This Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms is a quick and easy dinner loaded with flavor! With garlic butter mushrooms, wilted spinach, and parmesan, this 30-minute recipe is perfect for cozy weeknights and busy families.
Ingredients
- (2) 12 oz Chicken Apple Sausage, sliced
- 12 oz pasta of choice
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12–16 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup parmesan or pecorino cheese, grated
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat butter in large skillet. Brown sausage, then remove.
- In same skillet, sauté mushrooms 3 min. Add garlic and cook 1–2 min. Deglaze with broth. Remove.
- Add spinach to skillet. Cook until wilted, season with salt and pepper. Remove.
- Add pasta to skillet. Top with sausage, mushrooms, spinach.
- Add broth, cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Taste and season as needed. Serve warm with extra cheese.
If you try this Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta, I’d love to hear how it turned out!
💬 Leave a comment, ⭐️ rate the recipe, or tag me on Instagram @CookSnapBake so I can see your delicious creation!
📌 Don’t forget to pin this recipe to your weeknight dinner board for later. It’s quick, flavorful, and guaranteed to please the whole family!
This Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms is a quick and easy dinner loaded with flavor! With garlic butter mushrooms, wilted spinach, and parmesan, this 30-minute recipe is perfect for cozy weeknights and busy families.