Cowboy Butter Sausage Cavatappi

Ingredients

• 1 lb smoked sausage (Sliced)
• 12 oz cavatappi pasta (Dry)
• 2 tbsp garlic (Minced)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1.5 tbsp Kinder’s Cowboy Butter Seasoning (Additional seasoning may be added to taste at the end)
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• chili powder (A pinch)
• black pepper (To taste)
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese (Shredded)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (Shredded)
• 0.5 lemon juice (Juice of ½ lemon)
• crushed red pepper (Optional, to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Slice the smoked sausage and mince the garlic. Measure the seasonings, shred the cheeses, and juice half of the lemon so everything is ready before cooking.

2. 2

   Place a large skillet or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are nicely browned and lightly crisp around the edges, about 5–7 minutes.

3. 3

   Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Cowboy Butter seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and black pepper.

4. 4

   Stir the sausage and seasonings together and cook for about 30 seconds, just until the garlic is fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.

5. 5

   Add the dry cavatappi pasta and chicken broth. Stir to distribute the pasta and sausage evenly and to submerge as much of the pasta as possible.

6. 6

   Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the skillet or pot and cook, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking, until the pasta is almost al dente. Follow the pasta package timing as a guide, but begin checking a few minutes early.

7. 7

   Remove the lid and continue simmering until the cavatappi is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed. The mixture should remain moist, with only a small amount of liquid around the pasta.

8. 8

   Reduce the heat to low. Add the heavy cream, shredded cheddar, and shredded Parmesan. Stir continuously until the cheeses have melted and the sauce is smooth, creamy, and coating the pasta.

9. 9

   Add the lemon juice and stir to combine. Taste the pasta and adjust with additional black pepper, crushed red pepper, or Cowboy Butter seasoning if desired.

10. 10

    Remove the pot from the heat and let the pasta stand for a few minutes. The sauce will thicken as it rests. Serve hot.

Notes

Stir regularly while the pasta cooks because the dish is prepared in one pot and the pasta can stick as the broth reduces. The finished pasta thickens during its short rest off the heat.

Nutrition per serving

• main dish
• one-pot
• pasta
• creamy
• cheesy
• sausage
• American
• weeknight dinner