Description
Sizzling garlic butter sausage bites dance alongside creamy parmesan pasta, creating a comforting Italian-inspired symphony of flavors. Hearty ingredients combine to deliver a quick, satisfying meal that will keep hungry diners coming back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Meat:
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 0.5 lb mild Italian sausage links
Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 lb fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup pasta water
Garlic Butter and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Slice Italian sausage links into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the ground sausage and sausage bites until they develop a rich, golden exterior.
- Transfer sausage pieces to the prepared baking sheet, spreading them evenly to promote consistent roasting.
- Create a fragrant garlic butter by melting butter in the same skillet, then adding minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring until the garlic becomes aromatic and lightly golden.
- Drizzle the garlic butter mixture over the sausage pieces, ensuring each bite is thoroughly coated, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
- Roast the sausage bites in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they reach a crispy, caramelized finish.
- While sausages roast, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, reserving pasta water before draining.
- In the same skillet, combine heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese, whisking until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the cream sauce, using reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
- Plate the creamy pasta and top with roasted garlic butter sausage bites.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Slice sausages uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout each bite.
- Pat sausage pieces dry with paper towels before browning to enhance caramelization and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity based on personal spice tolerance, allowing customization of heat level without compromising overall dish balance.
- Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon for creating silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats pasta without becoming too thick or dry.
- Experiment with different sausage varieties like spicy Italian, chorizo, or chicken sausage to transform the dish’s flavor profile while maintaining core recipe technique.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for maximum flavor complexity and smoother sauce texture compared to pre-packaged grated cheese.
- Consider gluten-free pasta options for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring the recipe remains accessible and delicious for everyone.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 682
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 935 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg