Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet: 1 Rich, Reliable Dinner for Busy Nights
A creamy, savory one-pan pasta dish featuring smoky sausage, garlic, and Parmesan in a rich sauce—ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
14 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
8 oz penne or rotini pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
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In the same skillet, sauté diced onion until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
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Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits.
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Stir in dry pasta, cover, and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
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Reduce heat. Add cream and cooked sausage, stirring to combine. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened.
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Turn off heat and stir in Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning.
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Let rest 2–3 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
Use gluten-free pasta and dairy-free cream/cheese as needed. Add veggies for extra nutrition.