Balsamic Pasta with chicken sausage and sautéed vegetables is a quick, tangy, and satisfying dinner made with short-cut pasta, a simple balsamic vinaigrette, and plenty of customizable veggies.
This balsamic pasta is the kind of easy weeknight dinner that comes together quickly but still tastes fresh, bright, and full of flavor. Tender pasta is tossed with chicken sausage, sautéed vegetables, and a simple balsamic sauce that adds just the right balance of tang and richness. It is hearty enough to feel like a complete meal, yet light enough to enjoy any night of the week.
The beauty of this recipe is how flexible it is. Short-cut pasta works especially well because it catches the balsamic vinaigrette and mixes easily with the sausage and vegetables. Zucchini and red onion are delicious choices, but you can use whatever vegetables you already have in the refrigerator. Bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus, or snap peas can all work beautifully.
Chicken sausage adds protein and savory flavor without making the dish feel heavy. The balsamic sauce is made with pantry staples, including balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Once the pasta is cooked and the vegetables are sautéed, everything is tossed together in one serving bowl for a simple, colorful meal that can be served warm or enjoyed cold as leftovers.
Why You’ll Love This Balsamic Pasta
- Quick and easy – This balsamic pasta recipe takes about 25 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Fresh, tangy flavor – The balsamic vinaigrette coats the pasta, sausage, and vegetables with a bright, savory finish.
- Easy to customize – Use your favorite vegetables, change the protein, or skip the cheese to fit your preferences.
- Great for leftovers – The pasta keeps well in the refrigerator and can be eaten warm or cold the next day.
- Simple cleanup – The recipe uses a pot for the pasta, a skillet for the sausage and vegetables, and one bowl for tossing everything together.
What You’ll Need
The full printable-style recipe is included below with exact amounts and step-by-step instructions.
- Pasta – Short-cut pasta such as penne, fusilli, or farfalle works best because it mixes easily with the sauce, sausage, and vegetables.
- Balsamic vinegar – The key ingredient for the tangy sauce.
- Olive oil – Helps create a smooth vinaigrette that coats the pasta.
- Garlic – Fresh grated garlic adds bold flavor to the balsamic sauce.
- Dried oregano – Gives the dish a simple herby note.
- Salt and pepper – Essential for balancing the sauce and seasoning the vegetables.
- Chicken sausage – Sliced chicken sausage makes the pasta more filling.
- Sautéed vegetables – Zucchini, onion, or any vegetables you enjoy can be used.
- Parmesan cheese – Optional, but it adds a salty, savory finish. Omit it for a dairy-free version.
How To Make Balsamic Pasta
- Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain well.
- Make the balsamic sauce. In a large serving bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, grated garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Sauté the sausage and vegetables. In a large skillet, cook the sliced chicken sausage and vegetables until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the sausage is heated through, about 10 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Toss everything together. Add the drained pasta to the bowl with the balsamic sauce. Top with the sausage and vegetable mixture, then stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve. Garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired and serve right away.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Choose the right pasta. Short pasta shapes are easiest to toss and help deliver pasta, sausage, vegetables, and balsamic sauce in every bite.
- Do not overcook the vegetables. Sauté them until crisp-tender so they keep their color, texture, and fresh flavor.
- Use what you have. This recipe is a great way to use leftover vegetables from the fridge.
- Try another protein. Italian sausage, ground turkey, tofu, or a plant-based sausage can be used instead of chicken sausage.
- Add fresh herbs. Basil, parsley, or thyme can make the finished pasta taste even brighter.
- Make it cheesy. Parmesan is classic, but feta, goat cheese, or mozzarella can also work well.
- Add crunch. Toasted pine nuts, sliced almonds, or chopped walnuts can be sprinkled on top before serving.
- Finish with balsamic glaze. A light drizzle of balsamic glaze adds extra sweetness and tang if you want a stronger balsamic flavor.
Yes. Penne, fusilli, farfalle, rotini, or another short-cut pasta will work well. You can also use whole wheat pasta, protein pasta, or another pasta you enjoy. Just cook it according to the package directions and drain it before tossing it with the balsamic sauce.
Absolutely. Omit the chicken sausage or replace it with plant-based sausage, tofu, or extra vegetables. The balsamic vinaigrette brings plenty of flavor, so the recipe is easy to adapt.
Store leftover balsamic pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. It can be reheated gently or eaten cold straight from the fridge, making it a convenient option for lunch or meal prep.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
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Balsamic Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz short-cut pasta
- 3 links chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups sautéed vegetables, such as zucchini and onion
Balsamic Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Parmesan cheese, optional garnish
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, then drain.
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In a large serving bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dried oregano, grated garlic, salt, and black pepper.
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In a large skillet, sauté the sliced chicken sausage and vegetables until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the sausage is heated through, about 10 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
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Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the balsamic sauce. Top with the sausage and vegetable mixture, then stir until everything is evenly coated.
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Serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
| Calories: 197kcal
| Carbohydrates: 22g
| Protein: 9g
| Fat: 8g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.