Description
Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring browned smoked sausage rounds tossed in garlic butter and Italian seasoning, paired with a luscious creamy Parmesan pasta. This easy stovetop recipe delivers a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sausage Bites:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook Sausage Bites: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and butter. Add sliced sausage and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using), and sauté for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Remove sausage bites from skillet and keep warm.
- Make Creamy Parmesan Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt to taste.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired sauce consistency.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Parmesan pasta and top with garlic butter sausage bites. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Add steamed broccoli or spinach to the pasta for extra veggies.
