Description
This Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Pasta recipe combines tender penne pasta with flavorful smoked or Italian sausage in a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce. Enhanced with Parmesan, spinach, and Italian seasoning, it’s a delicious and comforting Italian-American main course that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
For the Sausage and Sauce
- 1 pound smoked sausage or Italian sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Sear the Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on both sides. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until the spinach wilts and incorporates into the creamy sauce.
- Combine All Ingredients: Return the browned sausage and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and sausage evenly with the garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- For extra richness, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese just before serving.
- This dish pairs well with any short pasta shapes like rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle if you want to vary from penne.
- To lighten the recipe, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Ensure the garlic is cooked gently to avoid bitterness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1020 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
