Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta

Ingredients

• 14 oz smoked sausage (sliced and browned)
• 16 oz pasta (your favorite shape, such as penne or rotini)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp garlic (minced)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 16 oz tomato sauce (two 8-ounce cans)
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 0.5 cup shredded parmesan cheese (a handful, plus more for topping)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• 0.25 cup pasta water (reserved from boiling pasta)
• fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your favorite pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.

2. 2

   While the pasta cooks, slice the smoked sausage into rounds. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the sausage slices until they have a nice sear. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.

3. 3

   In the same pan used for the sausage, add 3 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of minced garlic. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant.

4. 4

   Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream, two 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce, and 3 tablespoons of tomato paste.

5. 5

   Stir the sauce together and add a handful of shredded parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste.

6. 6

   Before draining the pasta, reserve a little bit of the starchy pasta water. Add a splash of this water to the sauce to help it thicken and emulsify.

7. 7

   Drain the pasta and pour it into the skillet with the sauce. Stir thoroughly to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.

8. 8

   Top the pasta with the browned smoked sausage, additional shredded parmesan, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

You can use any pasta shape you prefer; penne, rigatoni, or bowties work particularly well with this creamy sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a bit more pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• sausage
• creamy
• easy dinner
• weeknight meal
• one-pan sauce