Description
This dish is weeknight magic—simple, quick, and packed with bold flavors. The sausages bring that deep, savory richness, while the garlic butter infuses every bite with warm, toasty goodness. And then, the pasta? Oh, the pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sausage Bites:
- 1 lb Italian sausage links (mild, spicy, or smoked – your choice!)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni work great!)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Sausage Bites
- Slice the sausage links into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add butter, and sear the sausages until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
- Slowly whisk in Parmesan cheese, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Step 4: Combine & Serve!
- Add the cooked pasta and sausage bites to the sauce, tossing until everything is coated in creamy goodness.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
- Serve immediately and enjoy every cheesy, garlicky, buttery bite!