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Garlic Butter Sausage Parmesan Pasta

Garlic Butter Sausage Parmesan Pasta
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Garlic Butter Sausage Parmesan Pasta is a quick and indulgent Italian-inspired meal combining savory Italian or smoked sausage, creamy garlic butter sauce, and rich Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights and adaptable to various dietary preferences, this comforting pasta dish delivers bold, luscious flavors with minimal effort and ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Sausage and Pasta

  • 12 oz Italian or smoked sausage, sliced or crumbled
  • 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce later if needed.
  2. Sauté the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Slice or crumble the sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the sausage and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to low and add butter and minced garlic. Sauté gently until fragrant and the butter has melted, about 1 to 2 minutes, taking care not to brown the garlic to keep the sauce smooth and aromatic.
  4. Combine Cream and Cheese: Slowly stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese melts into the creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Mix Pasta and Sausage: Add the cooked pasta and sausage back to the skillet, tossing to coat everything evenly with sauce. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if it feels too thick, creating a perfect glossy finish.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor, then serve immediately while warm and cheesy.

Notes

  • Use good quality freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and keep it silky.
  • Sauté garlic gently over low heat to avoid bitterness.
  • Choose Italian or smoked sausage for deep, bold flavor.
  • Do not overcook pasta; al dente prevents mushiness after mixing.
  • Leftovers can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen up to 2 months.
  • Reheat gently with added cream or pasta water to restore sauce texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter sausage pasta, Parmesan pasta, easy Italian pasta, weeknight dinner, creamy sausage pasta

Find it online: https://juliaglam.com/garlic-butter-sausage-parmesan-pasta/