Description
A comforting and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender chicken breast, savory sausage, and creamy cheddar ranch sauce with rotini pasta. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, delivering rich, cheesy goodness with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 lb sausage, sliced
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini pasta
Dairy
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings & Liquids
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat to prepare for cooking the proteins evenly.
- Cook chicken and sausage: Add the diced chicken and sliced sausage to the pot and cook until all pieces are nicely browned and cooked through, enhancing their flavors.
- Add ranch seasoning: Stir in the ranch seasoning packet thoroughly to coat the meat and infuse the dish with herby, tangy ranch flavor.
- Add pasta and liquids: Pour in the rotini pasta, chicken broth, and heavy cream, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly and prepare for simmering.
- Simmer pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the rotini pasta is tender, allowing the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.
- Incorporate cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely, creating a creamy and cheesy sauce that envelops the pasta and meats.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning to balance the dish perfectly.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy ranch chicken and sausage rotini hot, enjoying this rich and hearty one-pot meal.
Notes
- Use a large enough pot to accommodate the pasta swelling during cooking to avoid overflow.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for added nutrition and color.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess.
