Juicy sausage, golden garlic butter, and silky parmesan cream sauce—this 30-minute meal is pure comfort in a bowl!
Ingredients
(Serves 4)
For the Sausage Bites:
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1 lb (450g) Italian sausage links (or smoked sausage), sliced into ½-inch rounds
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3 tbsp butter
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
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1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
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12 oz (340g) fettuccine or penne pasta
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1 cup heavy cream
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½ cup grated parmesan cheese (+ extra for serving)
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¼ cup pasta water (reserved)
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Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta:
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Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Sear the Sausage:
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In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage slices until browned and crispy (5-6 mins). Remove and set aside.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:
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In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Sauté 1 min until fragrant.
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Return sausage to the pan, tossing to coat in the garlic butter. Sprinkle with parsley.
4. Create the Cream Sauce:
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Lower heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream and pasta water, stirring to combine.
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Add cooked pasta and parmesan, tossing until the sauce is silky and clings to the noodles.
5. Serve:
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Top with extra parmesan, black pepper, and parsley. Pair with garlic bread or a crisp salad.
Pro Tips
🔥 Extra flavor: Deglaze the pan with ¼ cup white wine before adding cream.
🧀 Creamier sauce: Stir in 2 oz cream cheese with the parmesan.
🌶 Spice it up: Add diced jalapeños with the garlic.
Why It Works: The sausage drippings + butter create a rich base, while the pasta water emulsifies the sauce for restaurant-level silkiness.
Final Thought: This dish walks the line between quick weeknight dinner and impressive comfort food—perfect for when you crave indulgence without the fuss. 🍝🧄
(Inspired by Italian-American trattoria flavors, with a creamy twist.)
Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Crispy, golden sausage coins swimming in garlicky butter, tossed with al dente pasta in a luxuriously smooth parmesan cream sauce – this is 30-minute comfort food at its finest!
Ingredients
(Serves 4 hungry people)
For the Star Players:
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1 lb (450g) Italian sausage links (hot or mild – your call!)
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12 oz (340g) fettuccine, penne, or your favorite pasta shape
For the Garlic Butter Magic:
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4 tbsp butter (because we’re not playing around)
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5 garlic cloves, minced (or 6 if you’re brave)
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional but highly recommended)
For the Creamy Dream Team:
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1 ½ cups heavy cream
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1 cup freshly grated parmesan (the good stuff, not the green can)
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½ cup reserved pasta water
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Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
The Finishing Touches:
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Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
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Extra parmesan for serving
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Lemon wedges (trust me on this)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Pasta Prep:
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Cook pasta in well-salted boiling water until al dente (about 1 minute less than package says). Scoop out ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Sausage Showtime:
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Slice sausages into ½” coins. In a large skillet over medium-high, cook until beautifully browned (about 3-4 minutes per side). Remove and set aside – but leave those glorious drippings!
3. Garlic Butter Symphony:
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In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook just until fragrant (about 30 seconds – don’t let the garlic burn!).
4. Creamy Come Together:
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Pour in heavy cream and ½ cup pasta water. Bring to a gentle simmer.
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Gradually whisk in parmesan until melted into silky perfection.
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Season with salt and plenty of black pepper.
5. The Grand Finale:
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Toss in cooked pasta and sausage bites. Stir until everything is coated in that luscious sauce.
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If needed, add more pasta water to reach your perfect saucy consistency.
Chef’s Secrets
✨ Pro Move: For extra depth, deglaze the pan with ¼ cup white wine after browning sausage
🧀 Next Level: Add 2 oz cream cheese with the parmesan for ultra-creaminess
🍋 Game Changer: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens everything up
Serving Suggestions:
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Garnish with parsley and more parmesan
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Serve with crusty bread to mop up every last drop of sauce
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Pair with a simple green salad to balance the richness
Why This Works:
The magic is in the layers – crispy sausage, aromatic garlic butter, and creamy parmesan come together in perfect harmony. The starch from the pasta water helps create a velvety sauce that clings to every noodle. It’s fancy enough for date night but easy enough for a busy Tuesday!
“Made this last night and my family declared it better than our favorite Italian restaurant!” – Sarah J., verified recipe tester
Cook’s Note: This recipe is incredibly forgiving. No heavy cream? Half-and-half works in a pinch. No fresh parmesan? The pre-grated kind will do (but fresh really is better!). The key is to taste and adjust as you go.
Now go forth and carb-load with joy! 🍝🧄✨
