The Ultimate Summer Bowtie Pasta & Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake: SO EASY & Delicious!

Hello, WiseRecipes readers and fellow fans of dinners that are as effortless as they are incredibly flavorful! We believe that summer dinners should be both quick and easy, and today, I’m sharing a recipe that perfectly embodies that philosophy. Get ready for my Ultimate Summer Bowtie Pasta & Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake recipe – a dish that requires just a handful of ingredients and is guaranteed to become your new warm-weather go-to!

Imagine perfectly cooked bowtie pasta, savory slices of chicken sausage, and a medley of fresh summer vegetables like zucchini, bell pepper, and spinach, all brought together in a delicious marinara sauce and topped with a glorious blanket of melted cheese. This easy one skillet bowtie pasta with chicken sausage and vegetables is a true weeknight hero. It’s vibrant, it’s comforting, and as the original inspiration exclaims, it’s SO EASY! This is the best quick summer pasta bake recipe with marinara you’ll find.

My journey to this Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe was all about creating a meal that’s packed with flavor, utilizes seasonal produce, and minimizes cleanup. We’ll cover how to make a cheesy chicken sausage and veggie pasta skillet that will have your family asking for seconds. This flavorful weeknight dinner bowtie pasta zucchini bell pepper spinach combination is simply irresistible.

So, if you’re looking for a simple baked pasta recipe with chicken sausage and marinara that’s bursting with summer goodness and is an absolute breeze to make, you’re in for a treat. Let’s get that skillet sizzling for this amazing Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe!

Why This Summer Bowtie Pasta & Sausage Skillet is a Weeknight Dream

If “SO EASY” isn’t enough, here’s why this Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe will win you over:

• Quick & Incredibly Easy: Lives up to its promise! Minimal prep and mostly hands-off cooking make it perfect for busy summer evenings. This is the heart of our Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe.
• One-Skillet (Mostly!) Convenience: Reduces cleanup by cooking the majority of the components in a single skillet before a final bake.
• Packed with Summer Veggies: A delicious way to use up seasonal zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach.
• Flavorful Chicken Sausage: Pre-cooked chicken sausage adds a wonderful savory depth without much effort.
• Cheesy, Comforting Goodness: The melted cheese topping takes this pasta bake to the next level of deliciousness.
• Family-Friendly Favorite: The familiar flavors of pasta, sausage, and marinara are a guaranteed hit with all ages.
• Versatile & Adaptable: Easily swap veggies or use different types of pasta or sausage.

Gather Your Summer Bounty: Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s get our simple yet flavorful ingredients ready for this delightful Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe.

Key Ingredients (Serves 4-6):

• Bowtie Pasta (Farfalle): 12 oz.
• Pre-cooked Chicken Sausage: 12-14 oz (e.g., Italian style, apple chicken, or your favorite), sliced into ½-inch rounds.
• Marinara Sauce (Good Quality Store-Bought or Homemade): 1 jar (24-26 oz).
• Zucchini: 1 medium, halved lengthwise and sliced into ½-inch pieces.
• Bell Pepper (Any Color): 1 large, cored, seeded, and chopped into 1-inch pieces.
• Fresh Spinach: 5 oz (about 5 large handfuls).
• Yellow Onion (Optional): ½ medium, chopped.
• Garlic: 2-3 cloves, minced.
• Olive Oil: 1-2 tablespoons.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (or an Italian blend): 1 ½ – 2 cups.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional): ¼ cup, for extra flavor.
• Dried Italian Herb Seasoning: 1 teaspoon.
• Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: For garnish.

Crafting Your Easy Skillet Bake: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s create this vibrant Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe!

Step 1: Cook Pasta & Sauté Sausage and Veggies

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until just al dente (slightly undercooked, as it will continue to cook in the skillet and oven). Drain the pasta well and set aside. This is an important first step for your Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe.
3. Sauté Sausage: While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (at least 12-inch, cast iron or similar) over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned on both sides. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
4. Sauté Vegetables: To the same skillet (add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed), add the chopped zucchini, bell pepper, and optional chopped onion. Cook over medium heat for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly browned. Add the minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of Italian herb seasoning during the last minute of cooking and sauté until fragrant. This builds the flavor for your easy one skillet bowtie pasta with chicken sausage and vegetables.

Step 2: Assemble the Skillet Bake

1. Combine Ingredients in Skillet: Return the browned chicken sausage to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Add the cooked and drained bowtie pasta.
2. Add Marinara & Spinach: Pour the jar of marinara sauce over the pasta, sausage, and vegetables. Add the fresh spinach. Stir everything gently to combine thoroughly, ensuring the pasta and veggies are well coated with the sauce and the spinach begins to wilt. Season with salt and pepper to taste (be mindful of the saltiness of the sausage and marinara). This is how to make a cheesy chicken sausage and veggie pasta skillet base.
3. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the 1 ½ – 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese (and optional ¼ cup Parmesan cheese) evenly over the top of the pasta mixture in the skillet.

Step 3: Bake to Golden, Bubbly Perfection

1. Bake: Transfer the oven-safe skillet to the preheated 375°F (190°C) oven.
2. Baking Time: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly throughout, and the cheese on top is melted, golden brown, and slightly crispy in spots. This simple baked pasta recipe with chicken sausage and marinara will smell incredible!
3. Rest Briefly: Once baked, carefully remove the Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe from the oven (the skillet will be very hot!). Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the bake to set slightly and makes it easier to serve.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve Your Delicious Creation

1. Garnish: Sprinkle the baked skillet pasta generously with fresh chopped basil leaves.
2. Serve Warm: Scoop out generous portions and serve warm directly from the skillet (use a trivet!). Enjoy this incredibly flavorful weeknight dinner bowtie pasta zucchini bell pepper spinach dish!

Wise Tips for the Best Summer Bowtie Pasta Skillet Bake

Make your Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe a guaranteed success with these simple tips:

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta Initially: Cook it al dente as it will continue to cook in the sauce in the oven.
• Use Good Quality Chicken Sausage & Marinara: Since there are a “handful of ingredients,” the quality of each one shines through. Choose a chicken sausage and marinara sauce that you love the flavor of.
• Brown the Sausage: Taking a few minutes to brown the chicken sausage slices adds a lot of flavor and better texture.
• Oven-Safe Skillet is Key: Using a large, oven-safe skillet (like cast iron or a sturdy stainless steel one with an oven-safe handle) makes this a true one-pan (mostly!) meal from stovetop to oven to table.
• Fresh Spinach Wilts Down A Lot: Don’t be alarmed by the large volume of fresh spinach; it will cook down significantly.
• Rest Before Serving: Allowing the skillet bake to rest for a few minutes helps the sauce thicken slightly and the cheese to set, making for neater servings.
• Fresh Basil for Garnish: It adds a wonderful aroma and fresh, summery flavor to the finished Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe.

Fun Variations & Tasty Additions

This Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe is wonderfully adaptable!

• Different Pasta Shapes: While bowtie (farfalle) is fun, feel free to use penne, rotini, medium shells, or ziti.
• Vary the Veggies: Add sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes (halved), or even some leftover grilled corn kernels.
• Spice it Up: Use a spicy chicken sausage, add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the garlic, or choose an arrabbiata marinara sauce.
• Different Cheeses: Provolone, an Italian blend, or even a dollop of ricotta cheese under the mozzarella would be delicious.
• Make it Creamier: Stir in ¼ to ½ cup of heavy cream or a few ounces of softened cream cheese into the marinara sauce before adding the pasta for an even richer dish.
• Add More Herbs: Mix some fresh chopped oregano or parsley into the skillet along with the spinach.

Storing & Reheating Your Comforting Skillet Bake

Leftovers of this Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe are just as delicious!

• Storage: Once completely cooled, cover the skillet tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating:
  • Oven (Best for larger portions): Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the skillet or an oven-safe dish with foil and bake for 15-25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes if you want to re-crisp the cheese.
  • Microwave: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. The pasta texture might be slightly softer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Summer Bowtie Pasta & Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake

Your common questions about this easy and flavorful bake:

1. Can I use a different type of sausage for this Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe?
   Absolutely! Italian pork sausage (casings removed and crumbled, or sliced if pre-cooked), turkey sausage, or even a plant-based sausage would work well. Adjust cooking time for raw sausage accordingly.
2. Do I have to use an oven-safe skillet?
   It makes it much easier for a one-pan style meal! If you don’t have one, you can prepare the sausage, veggies, and sauce in a regular skillet on the stovetop, then combine everything with the cooked pasta in a 9×13 inch baking dish, top with cheese, and bake as directed.
3. Can I make this recipe with uncooked pasta added directly to the skillet?
   While some one-pan pasta recipes cook the pasta directly in the sauce, this particular Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe is written assuming pre-cooked pasta for best texture and control. Cooking pasta directly in the skillet would require adjusting the liquid amount significantly and longer simmering time.
4. How do I prevent the spinach from making the dish watery?
   Fresh spinach contains a lot of water. Adding it towards the end of the stovetop cooking, just enough to wilt it, is usually fine. If you’re concerned, you can quickly sauté or steam the spinach separately, squeeze out excess water, and then stir it in.
5. What are some good, simple side dishes to serve with this pasta bake?
   This is a pretty complete meal! A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette, some crusty garlic bread for soaking up extra sauce, or steamed green beans would all be lovely complements to this Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe.

This Summer Bowtie Pasta & Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake recipe is the epitome of easy, comforting, and flavor-packed summer dining. It’s an easy one skillet bowtie pasta with chicken sausage and vegetables that proves a best quick summer pasta bake recipe with marinara can be both incredibly simple and extraordinarily delicious. This is a flavorful weeknight dinner bowtie pasta zucchini bell pepper spinach dish your whole family will ask for again!

I am so excited for you to try this recipe and experience how truly “SO EASY” and delightful it is! If you make this Summer Bowtie Pasta Chicken Sausage Skillet recipe, please come back and share your delicious success in the comments below! What are your favorite veggies to add? Happy skillet cooking!