Description
Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish featuring perfectly cooked penne pasta tossed in a luscious sauce made with smoked sausage, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. Enhanced with savory herbs and spices like thyme and paprika, this easy skillet meal comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal comfort food for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne or your favorite pasta
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then set the pasta aside.
- Brown the smoked sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until browned on all sides. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Make the creamy sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add cheese and seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine sausage and pasta: Return the browned smoked sausage to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and gently toss everything together to coat the pasta with the sauce evenly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and serve: Serve the creamy smoked sausage pasta hot, sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Use penne or other sturdy pasta shapes that hold up well with creamy sauces.
- Adjust the amount of heavy cream to achieve your preferred sauce thickness.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the onion and garlic.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- To make the dish lighter, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
