Description
This Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender rotini pasta tossed in a rich, cheesy sauce made with smoked sausage, garlic, and diced tomatoes. The creamy sauce is perfectly balanced with herbs and topped with Parmesan cheese, making it an ideal meal for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 oz rotini pasta
Sausage and Sauce
- 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 4 to 7 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups half and half
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 15 oz diced tomatoes, drained
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking and maintain the perfect pasta texture.
- Brown Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sliced smoked sausage until browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside to preserve its texture and flavor.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt salted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make Roux: Stir in flour to the melted butter and garlic to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly to remove the raw flour taste and thicken the sauce base.
- Add Liquids: Slowly whisk in half and half and chicken stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps, and create a smooth cream sauce.
- Season and Simmer: Add salt, pepper, and oregano to the sauce. Let it simmer gently until it thickens, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Cheese and Tomatoes: Stir in shredded cheese and drained diced tomatoes. Continue cooking until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
- Toss Pasta and Sausage: Return the browned sausage and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything well to evenly coat the pasta with the rich sauce and heat through.
- Serve: Sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese over the top before serving for an added layer of flavor and a beautiful finish.
Notes
- You can substitute smoked sausage with kielbasa or andouille sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Adjust the garlic amount based on your preference; more garlic adds extra depth to the sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer longer before adding the cheese.
- Use low-sodium chicken stock to control the saltiness of the dish.
- If you want a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes along with oregano.
- For a lighter option, substitute half and half with whole milk or a milk alternative.
