Irresistible Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Crispy, golden garlic butter sausage bites dance deliciously alongside a creamy parmesan pasta that promises pure comfort.

These mouthwatering morsels pack an incredible flavor punch straight from your skillet.

Tender sausage pieces caramelize beautifully when kissed by rich, melted butter and fragrant garlic.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory goodness that makes dinner feel special.

Parmesan cheese adds a luxurious, silky dimension to the pasta, creating a meal that feels indulgent yet simple.

The combination emerges as a crowd-pleasing dish that comes together faster than you might expect.

She’ll want seconds, guaranteed.

Prepare to savor every single delectable forkful.

Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Sausage with Parmesan Pasta

• Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 30 minutes with minimal kitchen effort.
• Swap sausage types or add vegetables to personalize the dish, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Kid-approved comfort food that combines familiar ingredients like pasta and sausage, ensuring everyone at the table will enjoy a satisfying meal.
• Impressive enough for casual gatherings yet simple enough for everyday dining, this dish strikes a perfect balance between gourmet and approachable.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Sausage Parmesan Pasta

• Sausage: Hearty meat that provides rich flavor and protein, choose high-quality Italian or spicy sausage for best results.
• Parmesan Cheese: Classic Italian cheese with nutty flavor, select freshly grated for smoother melting.

• Pasta: Base of the dish, select short pasta like penne or rotini that holds sauce well.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provide richness and help develop deep cooking flavors, use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.
• Garlic, Garlic Powder: Adds sharp, aromatic flavor to both sausage and sauce, fresh garlic offers more intense taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that adds complexity to sausage, provides traditional Mediterranean profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Essential for balancing and layering dish's overall taste profile.

• Heavy Cream: Creates silky, luxurious sauce texture, full-fat version recommended for best results.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for garnish, adds bright color and light herbal note.

How to Cook Garlic Butter Sausage Pasta Step-by-Step

Step 1: Brown Sausage Bites

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame. Slice sausage and cook until golden on all sides, creating a crispy exterior. Transfer sausage to a plate.

Step 2: Create Garlic Butter Magic

In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté until aromatic and fragrant. Return sausage to skillet, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.

Step 3: Boil Perfect Pasta

Fill a pot with water and add salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Drop pasta and cook until tender but firm. Drain, keeping a small amount of pasta water on the side.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Parmesan Sauce

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Stir until sauce reaches a smooth, velvety consistency.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Pour pasta into the creamy sauce, stirring gently. If sauce seems thick, splash in reserved pasta water. Transfer to serving plates. Top with sausage bites.

Step 6: Final Touches

Sprinkle fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot and steamy.

Pro Cooking Tips for Sausage and Parmesan Pasta

• Select Sausage Wisely: Choose high-quality sausage like Italian or smoked varieties for richer flavor and better texture in the dish.
• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir pasta occasionally while cooking and rinse with cold water after draining to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness, adding small amounts gradually to achieve perfect creamy texture without becoming too runny.
• Balance Seasonings Carefully: Taste and adjust salt and pepper incrementally since Parmesan cheese already contains natural saltiness.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free options, use plant-based sausage alternatives, or swap heavy cream with lighter dairy-free alternatives for diverse dietary requirements.

Storing and Reheating Garlic Butter Sausage Pasta Easily

• Store leftover sausage bites and pasta in separate airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain best quality and food safety.
• Warm pasta in microwave with a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to prevent drying. Stir every 30 seconds until heated through, typically 1-2 minutes at medium power.
• Warm sausage bites in skillet over medium-low heat or microwave for 30-45 seconds. Add a tiny pat of butter to restore moisture and prevent toughening.
• Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3 days for optimal taste and texture. Discard if any unusual odor or appearance develops.

What to Serve with Garlic Butter Sausage Pasta

• Full-bodied red wines like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon complement the garlic butter sausage's robust flavors, cutting through the creamy pasta's richness while enhancing the dish's herbal undertones.
• Amber ales or hoppy IPAs provide a crisp contrast to the heavy cream sauce, their carbonation cleansing the palate and matching the sausage's savory profile with complementary malty notes.
• Create a zesty arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, which introduces bright, peppery elements that balance the dish's creamy texture and cut through the richness of the garlic butter sausage bites.
• Sprinkle fresh basil or chopped chives over the pasta, introducing a light, fresh dimension that lifts the hearty sausage and creamy Parmesan sauce, adding complexity to each delicious bite.

Flavor Additions for Garlic Butter Sausage Pasta

• Vegetarian Pasta Delight: Replace sausage with plant-based protein like sautéed mushrooms, roasted chickpeas, or crumbled tofu for a meat-free version that maintains rich, savory flavors.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free alternatives like chickpea, rice, or zucchini noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions while keeping the creamy Parmesan sauce intact.
• Low-Carb Option: Use spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice instead of pasta, pairing with chicken sausage or turkey sausage for a lighter, nutrient-dense meal that still delivers satisfying taste.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast or dairy-free Parmesan alternative to create a creamy sauce that's lactose-free and equally delicious.

Garlic Butter Sausage Bites With Creamy Parmesan Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic butter sausage bites elevate this comfort pasta dish into a culinary masterpiece. Italian-inspired flavors and creamy parmesan sauce create an irresistible meal that delights taste buds and satisfies hunger with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins and Meats:

• 1 pound (1 lb) smoked sausage or Italian sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces

Pasta and Cream Base:

• 12 ounces (12 oz) pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Garnishes:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Additional Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a skillet with olive oil over medium heat and carefully brown sausage slices until golden edges develop, approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer sausage to a separate plate.
2. Using the identical skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until aromatic. Reintroduce sausage to the pan, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, and gently toss to ensure even coating. Season with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
3. Simultaneously, boil a pot of salted water and cook pasta until it reaches perfect al dente texture. Drain pasta, reserving a small portion of cooking liquid for potential sauce adjustment.
4. Create the parmesan sauce by melting butter in a separate saucepan. Incorporate heavy cream and garlic powder, stirring until mixture starts to simmer gently.
5. Gradually whisk parmesan cheese into the cream mixture, creating a smooth, velvety sauce. Enhance with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
6. Combine pasta with the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated. If sauce appears too thick, introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
7. Plate the creamy pasta and strategically arrange garlic butter sausage bites on top. Elevate the presentation by sprinkling fresh parsley and additional parmesan cheese for a final touch of elegance.

Notes

• Select high-quality sausages with robust flavors like spicy Italian or smoked varieties to enhance the overall dish’s taste profile.
• Slice sausages uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and attractive presentation on the plate.
• Control butter’s heat while sautéing garlic to prevent burning, which can create bitter undertones in the sauce.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged for maximum melting and richer flavor development.
• Keep reserved pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and help cheese blend smoothly.
• Cut pasta cooking time slightly less than package instructions to maintain perfect al dente texture when mixed with creamy sauce.
• Add red pepper flakes gradually to customize spice levels according to personal heat preferences.
• Consider vegetarian alternatives by substituting sausage with plant-based protein like tempeh or roasted vegetables.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like pecorino or romano to create unique flavor variations.
• Store leftovers in airtight containers, understanding sauce might thicken when refrigerated and may require gentle reheating with additional liquid.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 655
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1150 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg