If you’re craving something hearty, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to throw together, this Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is exactly what you need. Juicy, golden-browned sausage bites coated in garlic butter, all served over a rich and creamy parmesan pasta—it’s comfort food at its best. Perfect for a weeknight dinner but fancy enough to impress guests, this dish is a must-try.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with flavor. The combination of garlic butter, sausage, and creamy parmesan sauce is pure magic.
- Quick and easy. Ready in about 30 minutes with minimal effort.
- Perfect for leftovers. The flavors get even better the next day!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite)
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Full list of ingredients is below.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage pieces until they’re browned and slightly crispy on the edges, about 5 minutes. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter
In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Step 4: Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until thickened. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Add the cooked pasta and sausage back to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use a high-quality sausage for the best flavor—smoked, Italian, or even spicy andouille work great.
- Want extra richness? Stir in a little more butter or an extra handful of parmesan at the end.
- Don’t overcook the garlic. It should be just fragrant, not browned, or it can turn bitter.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Swap out the sausage for grilled chicken or shrimp for a different protein.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted red peppers for extra veggies.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This pasta is a meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad and some warm garlic bread. If you’re serving it for a special occasion, a glass of white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect match.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or cream to bring back the creaminess. The microwave works too—just heat in short bursts and stir in between.
4 FAQs
- Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the sausage and sauce in advance, then just cook the pasta fresh before serving. - Can I freeze this dish?
The sausage freezes well, but the creamy sauce can separate when thawed. If you do freeze it, reheat slowly with extra cream to bring it back together. - What’s the best pasta to use?
Short pasta like penne or rigatoni holds the sauce well, but fettuccine or spaghetti works too. - Can I make this spicy?
Absolutely! Add extra red pepper flakes or use a spicy sausage for more heat.
Conclusion
This Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is the ultimate comfort meal—rich, flavorful, and so easy to make. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner, this dish is sure to be a hit. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular in your meal rotation!
PrintGarlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
This comforting dish features juicy sausage bites seared to perfection in a rich garlic butter sauce, served over creamy Parmesan-coated pasta. It’s a quick and indulgent meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Sausage Bites:
- 1 lb (450g) smoked or Italian sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (such as fettuccine, penne, or your preferred shape)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
-
Prepare the Garlic Butter Sausage Bites:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the sliced sausage and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic butter.
- Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine, then remove from heat.
-
Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Sauce:
- In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously.
- Add the garlic powder and black pepper.
- Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
-
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the saucepan with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Toss to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
-
Serve:
- Plate the creamy Parmesan pasta and top with the garlic butter sausage bites.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Feel free to add vegetables like sautéed spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk to maintain the sauce’s consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 110mg