Description
Sizzling “Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta” deliver an irresistible blend of savory flavors that dance across taste buds. Rich, comforting ingredients combine to create a meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb sausage (Italian sausage or preferred type, casing removed, cut into bite-sized pieces)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 5 tablespoons (5 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon (¼ tsp) red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) olive oil (for searing)
- ¼ teaspoon (¼ tsp) garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon (¼ tsp) salt (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon (¼ tsp) black pepper (to taste)
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (8 oz) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
Liquid:
- ½ cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
Instructions
- Sizzle the sausage chunks in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat, rotating periodically until golden and crisp on all surfaces. Transfer to a separate plate once perfectly browned.
- Using the identical skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for approximately two minutes. Optionally sprinkle red pepper flakes for added zest.
- Return sausage pieces to the pan, thoroughly coating them in the fragrant garlic butter mixture. Gently warm the meat for an additional few minutes, ensuring complete integration of flavors.
- Prepare pasta in a generously salted boiling water bath, cooking until achieving a tender yet firm al dente texture. Carefully preserve a portion of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Craft a luxurious sauce base by melting butter and introducing chicken broth, allowing it to simmer gently. Incorporate heavy cream and garlic powder, whisking consistently until the mixture develops a velvety consistency.
- Gradually fold Parmesan cheese into the simmering sauce, stirring until completely dissolved and creating a smooth, creamy texture. Season judiciously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Introduce cooked pasta into the rich Parmesan sauce, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coverage. Adjust sauce consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Plate the dish, garnishing with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a final gourmet touch.
Notes
- Customize sausage selection by choosing mild or spicy varieties depending on heat preference and flavor profile.
- Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for dietary restrictions.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium chicken broth and selecting reduced-salt Parmesan cheese to make dish heart-friendly.
- Enhance protein content by adding grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg