Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta
A comforting and flavorful dish that combines the smokiness of sausage with a creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sausage Ingredients
- 16 oz rotini pasta or any pasta of your choice
- 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced kielbasa or andouille sausage work well
Creamy Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tbsp salted butter for richness
- 2 tbsp flour to thicken the sauce
- 4-7 cloves garlic, minced to taste
- 3 cups half and half for creaminess
- 1 cup chicken stock can substitute with vegetable stock
- 1 tsp salt to season
- ½ tsp pepper to taste
- 1 tsp oregano for flavor
- 1 cup shredded cheese such as cheddar or mozzarella
- 15 oz diced tomatoes, drained
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded for topping
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Preparing the Sausage and Sauce
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the sliced smoked sausage. Cook until browned and slightly crisp on the edges, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the salted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and minced garlic until fully combined, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Gradually pour in the half and half while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in the chicken stock and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir in the shredded cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
Combining the Ingredients
- Add the cooked smoked sausage, drained diced tomatoes, and pasta to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Toss everything gently to ensure the pasta and sausage are fully coated with the creamy sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded parmesan cheese over the top.
- Serve the dish warm, garnished with extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
For optimal flavor, use high-quality smoked sausage and consider adding fresh herbs or vegetables like spinach for a nutritional boost.