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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Create the parmesan sauce by melting butter in a separate saucepan. Incorporate heavy cream and garlic powder, stirring until mixture starts to simmer gently.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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