Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta with Grilled Vegetables

Why You Should Make This Grilled Veggie & Sausage Pasta

• Easy Dinner. Make this easy pasta recipe on busy weeknights!
• Quick. 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cook time! Make this in less than 30 minutes!
• Fresh flavors. This is an easy summer meal with tons of fresh flavor.
• Customizable. Use any kind of veggies you want!
• Great to feed the whole family! Easy to make gluten-free and dairy-free. Full of fiber!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.

• Chicken Sausage: Use your favorite brand of chicken sausage. I like cooked sausage for ease. If raw mild Italian chicken sausage is used, brown it in a pan before assembling.
• Pasta: Use your favorite pasta. I like using chickpea pasta, Banza pasta, or bean pasta for added protein, however, regular pasta or whole wheat pasta works just as well. Sturdy pastas like penne pasta, rigatoni, or rotini pasta are recommended.
• Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite jarred tomato sauce. I recommend Rao's homemade.
• Mushrooms: Mushrooms are a source of antioxidants and add savory flavor and depth. Omit them if desired.
• Bell Pepper: Bell peppers add Vitamin C and crunch, texture, and bright colors to this dish.
• Zucchini: Fresh zucchini has Vitamin A and potassium, and adds a mild, fresh flavor and natural sweetness.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil helps to keep the veggies and sausage moist during grilling. It also adds to the delicious flavor of the sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Along with sea salt and black pepper, Italian seasoning provides a delicious balance of savory flavor.

How to Make This Chicken Sausage Pasta Dish

Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.

1. Heat the grill and prepare the ingredients. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Cook the pasta in a large pot of water according to the package al dente directions, and prepare the vegetables and sausage.
2. Prepare and season the kabobs. Place the veggie and sausage pieces onto long skewers. Put the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the kabobs with olive oil and Italian seasoning.
3. Grill the chicken sausage and veggies. Place the veggie skewers directly onto the grill grates and grill for 5 minutes per side (about 20 minutes total).
4. Combine pasta and serve. Drain the pasta and reserve a bit of pasta water. Add the pasta sauce, cooked pasta, and grilled vegetables and sausage to the drained pasta pot and stir gently with a wooden spoon. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and salt and black pepper to taste.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to make a spicy version. Use hot Italian sausage for even more heat.
• Garlic: Sprinkle the skewers with garlic powder or minced garlic for zesty flavor.
• Tomato: Add cherry tomatoes to the skewers (just like in our sauteed cherry tomato pasta!)
• Spinach. Saute some baby spinach and stir it into the pasta sauce for added nutrition.
• Kid-friendly. Serve the veggies on the side or use an immersion blender to blend them into the pasta sauce.
• Gluten-free. Use gluten-free pasta and sausage.
• Other Veggies. Use other veggies like broccoli florets, chopped onion, or summer squash.

Tips For Making Chicken Sausage Pasta with Veggies

• Cut the vegetables into ½-inch even cubes to ensure even grilling.
• Reserve a cup of pasta water for the sauce and reheating.
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top of the final dish.

Make Ahead

Pasta with grilled veggies is best served on the day it is made. I generally do not recommend making it ahead of time.

Storing Leftover Grilled Veggie Pasta with Sausage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Reserve a bit of pasta water to reheat.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended.

Reheating

Drizzle leftovers with pasta water and a bit of olive oil. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments or until heated through.

What to Serve With Chicken Sausage Pasta

Grilled veggie and sausage pasta is a great go-to dinner because it's balanced and doesn't require any side dishes!

For a full and hearty meal, serve grilled veggie and sausage pasta with some garlic bread and a delicious green side salad.

Recipe FAQs