Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
A delightful dish combining the rich flavors of garlic, Italian sausage, and creamy Parmesan cheese, ideal for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Sausage Mixture
- 1 lb Italian sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- To taste salt and pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- To taste fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cooking Sausage
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the sausage pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through—this takes about 10 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for another 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
Cooking Pasta
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Making Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- Pour in the heavy cream, garlic powder, and onion powder. Whisk until combined and warmed through.
- Slowly stir in the Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and thickened—for about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combining Ingredients
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add some pasta water to loosen it.
- Fold in the cooked sausage bites or spoon them over the top. Garnish with parsley.
- Serve hot and enjoy every cheesy, garlicky bite!
Notes
For extra flavor, sauté vegetables like bell peppers or spinach. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best taste. Add more crushed red pepper flakes for spice.