This Trader Joe’s Chicken Jalapeño Sausage Pasta is a creamy and spicy dinner, which features the famous Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausage and sweet bell peppers. It’s a bold 20-minute meal, ready in no time.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Chicken Jalapeño Sausage Pasta Ingredients
- 1 package (12 oz) Trader Joe’s Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausage, sliced into coins
- 12 oz (¾ box) Penne or Rotini pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Trader Joe’s Chicken Jalapeño Sausage Pasta
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- Sear the sausage: While the water boils, heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage coins. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and crispy on the edges. Remove sausage to a plate.
- Sauté vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced red bell pepper and diced onion to the same skillet. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until the peppers are soft and the onions are translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir to scrape up any spicy browned bits from the sausage (this flavors the cream). Bring to a gentle simmer and let it bubble for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Melt the cheese: Lower the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with black pepper (taste before adding salt, as the sausage and cheese are salty).
- Combine: Return the browned sausage to the pan. Add the cooked pasta and the fresh spinach (if using). Pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Toss and serve: Toss everything together gently over low heat for 1–2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the pasta is coated in the thick, spicy cream sauce. Serve hot with extra Parmesan.
Recipe Tips
- Sausage Heat: The Trader Joe’s Spicy Jalapeño sausage packs a genuine punch. The heavy cream acts as a buffer, soothing the heat. If you are very sensitive to spice, use half spicy sausage and half regular roasted garlic sausage.
- Browning is flavor: Don’t skip browning the sausage slices. That caramelization adds texture and releases the jalapeño oils into the pan, which then seasons the cream sauce.
- Vegetable variations: This pasta works well with almost any vegetable. Zucchini, broccoli, or asparagus can be swapped for the bell peppers.
- Lighter version: For a lighter sauce, skip the cream and use a can of diced tomatoes and a splash of wine for a spicy marinara style pasta instead.
What To Serve With Trader Joe’s Chicken Jalapeño Sausage Pasta
- Garlic Bread: To scoop up the spicy sauce.
- Simple Green Salad: A cool cucumber and lettuce salad balances the heat.
- Roasted Corn: Sweet corn complements the jalapeño flavor.
- Glass of Milk: Essential if the spice level catches you off guard!
How To Store Trader Joe’s Chicken Jalapeño Sausage Pasta
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat gently on the stove or microwave. Add a splash of milk to loosen the sauce as it will thicken in the fridge.
- Freeze: Freezing creamy pasta is hit-or-miss as the sauce can separate, but it is safe to do so for up to 1 month.
Trader Joe’s Chicken Jalapeño Sausage Pasta Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 550kcal
- Protein: 26g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 30g
- Saturates: 14g
- Sugar: 4g
- Salt: 1.2g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving (based on 4 servings).
FAQs
Is the sausage pre-cooked?
Yes, Trader Joe’s chicken sausages are fully cooked. You are only searing them to warm them up and add texture/flavor.
Can I use other pasta shapes?
Yes, any short pasta like Rigatoni, Fusilli, or Bowties works best to catch the chunky sauce and sausage coins.
Do I need the pasta water?
Yes, salty, starchy pasta water is the secret ingredient that emulsifies the cream and cheese into a silky sauce that clings to the noodles rather than sliding off.
Trader Joe’s Chicken Jalapeño Sausage Pasta
Course: DinnerCuisine: StovetopDifficulty: EasyServings
4
servingsPrep time
5
minutesCooking time
15
minutesCalories
550
kcalA quick and creamy pasta dish that uses the heat from Trader Joe’s spicy jalapeño chicken sausage to flavor a rich parmesan sauce.
Ingredients:
Ingredients
1 pkg TJ’s Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausage
12 oz penne pasta
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, diced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups spinach
Garlic & Olive Oil
Directions
- Boil pasta; reserve water.
- Brown sliced sausage in oil; remove.
- Sauté pepper, onion, and garlic.
- Add cream and simmer 2 minutes.
- Stir in cheese until melted.
- Add pasta, sausage, spinach, and pasta water.
- Toss until thickened and spinach wilts.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Searing the sausage first renders out a small amount of spicy fat; cooking the onions and peppers in this fat infuses the entire dish with a subtle heat, not just the meat bites.
- The red bell pepper is a crucial ingredient as its natural sweetness provides a necessary counter-balance to the sharp heat of the jalapeños in the sausage.
- If the sauce becomes too thick or “gloopy,” simply add more of the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches a glossy, coating consistency.
