Creamy Protein-Packed Pasta Bowl: A Quick, Hearty Dinner
This Creamy Protein-Packed Pasta Bowl is the perfect comforting yet nutritious dinner. Made with lean chicken sausage, fresh veggies, and a creamy sauce, it’s an easy one-skillet meal you’ll want to make again and again.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 oz shell pasta
- 12 oz chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 cup zucchini, diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 8 oz cream cheese or Alfredo sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shell pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced zucchini and sauté for 3–4 minutes until tender and golden.
3. Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
4. Add sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3–4 minutes until heated through and lightly browned.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir in cream cheese or Alfredo sauce and mix gently until everything is well coated.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until heated through and creamy.
7. Serve warm, optionally garnished with fresh herbs.
Notes
Don’t overcook the pasta—al dente holds up best in creamy sauces.
Swap in seasonal vegetables like asparagus, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
Try different proteins like shrimp or plant-based sausage for variety.
Top with fresh basil or parsley for added flavor and color.
Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk to revive creaminess.
Freeze for up to 1 month—cool before storing in a freezer-safe container.
Find it online: https://cookingwithramsay.com/creamy-protein-packed-pasta-bowl/