Print

Quick Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet

quick creamy smoked sausage pasta skillet - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy skillet meal combining smoky smoked sausage with pasta in a creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and comforting dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced (kielbasa or smoked Polish sausage recommended)
  • 8 ounces dry pasta (penne or rotini; fusilli works too)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 ounces of penne pasta according to package directions until al dente (around 9 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water for later if needed.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and slightly crisp. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring to prevent garlic from burning.
  4. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Stir gently, scraping any browned bits from the pan. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together, coating the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using), and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for another 2 minutes to let the cheese melt and flavors meld.
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

Keep the heat medium-low when simmering the cream sauce to avoid curdling. Brown the sausage well to develop flavor but avoid overcooking to prevent dryness. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese. Gluten-free pasta options like brown rice or chickpea pasta work well.

Nutrition

Keywords: smoked sausage pasta, creamy pasta skillet, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, kielbasa pasta, creamy sausage pasta

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/quick-creamy-smoked-sausage-pasta-skillet-easy-recipe-for-busy-nights/