This creamy smoked sausage pasta is a comforting dish that’s bursting with flavor. It combines savory sausage, tender pasta, and a rich, creamy sauce that’s hard to resist!
You’ll love how quickly this comes together—perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! I often make extra so I can enjoy it for lunch the next day. Yum! 🍝
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Smoked Sausage: This ingredient adds a rich, smoky flavor. If you want something leaner, turkey or chicken sausage works well. For a vegetarian option, try tempeh or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty texture.
Pasta: I love using penne for its perfect shape that holds onto the sauce, but feel free to use other pasta like rotini or rigatoni. If you’re gluten-free, a gluten-free pasta option can work great here too!
Heavy Cream: For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or even a mix of milk and cream. Coconut cream or cashew cream makes a great dairy-free alternative.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a lovely flavor. If you’re out, Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a vegan option can do the trick. Don’t forget to adjust your salt if you substitute!
How Do I Make Sure the Sauce Stays Creamy?
Keeping your sauce creamy hinges on how you prepare and combine the ingredients. Here are a few tips:
- Cook the sausage until crisp to release its flavors, then set aside. This prevents it from making the sauce greasy.
- When adding cream, make sure to reduce the heat before doing so. High heat can cause cream to separate.
- Stir continuously after adding cheese until it melts completely. This helps achieve that smooth texture!
- Don’t skip simmering the chicken broth and scraping the pan—those browned bits are full of flavor!
With these tips, you’ll end up with a wonderfully creamy sauce that makes this pasta dish irresistible!
Delicious Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pasta Dish:
- 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This creamy smoked sausage pasta takes about 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes for prep and about 20 minutes for cooking. It’s quick, easy, and full of flavor!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, cooking it according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta, and set it aside for later.
2. Sauté the Sausage:
While your pasta is cooking, grab a large skillet and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage to the skillet and sauté it for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until it’s browned and slightly crispy. Once it’s nicely cooked, remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Cook the Vegetables:
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion. Cook it for about 3 minutes until it softens. Then, add the minced garlic and optional diced bell pepper, cooking it for an additional 2 minutes until everything is fragrant.
4. Create the Sauce:
Next, pour in the chicken broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Let the broth simmer for 2 minutes to enhance the flavor.
5. Add Cream and Cheese:
Now, reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
6. Combine Everything:
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, mixing it well with the creamy sauce. Adjust the seasoning by adding salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
7. Toss with Pasta:
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy sauce.
8. Heat Through:
Allow the pasta to cook with the sauce for an additional 2 minutes on low heat, so all the flavors combine nicely. Then, it’s almost ready to serve!
9. Garnish and Serve:
Remove the skillet from heat, give it a final stir, and sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness. Serve your creamy smoked sausage pasta immediately, and enjoy every flavorful bite!
Bon appétit!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use a Different Type of Sausage?
Absolutely! While smoked sausage adds a great flavor, feel free to use Italian sausage, kielbasa, or even chicken sausage for a lighter option. Just adjust the cooking time as needed based on the sausage you choose!
How Can I Make This Pasta Dish Vegetarian?
You can easily make this dish vegetarian by omitting the sausage and replacing it with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or even a plant-based sausage. The creamy sauce is still delicious and satisfying with these veggie additions!
What If I Don’t Have Heavy Cream?
No worries! You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or even whole milk, but the sauce may be a bit thinner. For a dairy-free option, try using coconut cream or cashew cream for a rich, creamy consistency.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened. Enjoy!
