Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of this easy and comforting dish – Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Pasta. Savory smoked sausage cooked in a garlic butter sauce, tossed with al dente pasta, and finished with Parmesan cheese – a perfect meal for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sausage Bites:
- 1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sear the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add sausage pieces and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned on all sides. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine and Garnish: Return sausage to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter. Add cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese, tossing until combined. Add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sauté sliced bell peppers or spinach with the garlic butter before adding the pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
