Description
A quick and hearty Smoked Sausage Pasta combining smoky sausage, tender pasta, and a creamy savory sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavorful one-pot meal comes together in under 30 minutes, is family-friendly, and easy to customize with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining to help adjust the sauce later.
- Sauté the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced smoked sausage and brown until caramelized and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add chopped onions and bell peppers to the skillet with the sausage. Cook until softened and slightly sweet, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic during the last minute to prevent burning.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in tomato paste and cook for a minute to deepen the flavor. Lower the heat and pour in the cream, stirring well to combine into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick until your desired consistency is reached.
- Finish with Cheese and Seasoning: Remove skillet from heat, sprinkle in grated Parmesan cheese, and stir until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use high-quality smoked sausage for the best smoky flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to help the sauce adhere and maintain silky texture.
- Keep vegetables slightly crisp for better texture and color.
- Adjust cream quantity or substitute half with broth for a lighter sauce.
- Serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg