Garlic butter sausage bites paired with creamy Parmesan pasta make for a savory, crowd-pleasing one-pan meal. Crispy sausage, rich garlic butter, and silky pasta come together in under 40 minutes.
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz short pasta (penne, cavatappi, rotini)
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
Red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup water and drain.
Sear sausage in oil until browned. Add butter and garlic; cook 1–2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Add broth, cream, salt, pepper, and seasonings to skillet. Simmer 3–4 minutes.
Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth.
Add pasta and sausage. Toss to coat and heat through.
Garnish and serve hot.
Use freshly grated cheese for best sauce texture.
Adjust creaminess by adding pasta water or extra cream.
Add veggies or spice to customize.