Introduction

Oh, friends! Do you ever have those days where dinner needs to be on the table STAT, but you still want something that feels like a warm hug in a bowl? I know I do! This Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe is one of those magic meals. It’s the kind of dish that brings smiles all around, tastes way fancier than it is, and honestly, it’s so simple you’ll be amazed. I remember the first time I whipped this up on a busy weeknight – my family was raving, and I felt like a kitchen superhero. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, you can have this on your table in about 30 minutes. Perfect for those evenings when time is tight!
Easy: No complicated steps here. We’re talking simple, straightforward cooking that anyone can master.
Giftable: While you’ll want to eat it all yourself, leftovers (if there are any!) can be packaged up for a thoughtful meal to share with a friend or neighbor.
Crowd-Pleasing: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, everyone adores this creamy, savory pasta. It’s a guaranteed hit!

Ingredients

Gather ’round, because here’s what you’ll need to make this deliciousness:

1 lb Italian sausage: I love using mild or hot Italian sausage, whatever your preference! Just make sure to cut it into bite-sized pieces for perfect little bites.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter: For sautéing those delicious sausage bits and building flavor.
4 cloves garlic, minced: Because what’s a good savory dish without plenty of garlic?
1 tablespoon olive oil: To help the garlic get nice and fragrant without burning.
Salt and pepper, to taste: Always essential for bringing out the best flavors.
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: A little pinch for a hint of warmth, optional if you’re sensitive to spice.
8 oz rotini pasta: The spiral shape is perfect for catching all that creamy sauce!
2 tablespoons butter: This is for our luscious cream sauce.
1 cup heavy cream: The secret to that wonderfully rich and creamy texture.
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Don’t skip the freshly grated part – it makes all the difference!
1 teaspoon salt: For seasoning the sauce.
1/8 teaspoon pepper: Just a touch more pepper for the sauce.
1 teaspoon garlic powder: To amp up the garlic flavor even more!
1 teaspoon onion powder: Adds a subtle savory depth to the sauce.
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish): A little pop of green and freshness to finish it off.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get this show on the road! It’s super simple, I promise.

Brown the Sausage: Grab a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add your bite-sized Italian sausage pieces and cook them until they’re beautifully browned. Once they’re cooked through, scoop them out with a slotted spoon and set them aside on a plate. Leave any drippings in the skillet – that’s pure flavor!
Sauté the Aromatics: To that same skillet (with those lovely sausage drippings!), add the 2 tablespoons of butter and the olive oil. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, toss in your minced garlic and the crushed red pepper flakes. Give it a good stir and let it sauté for about 1 minute until it’s wonderfully fragrant. Keep an eye on it so the garlic doesn’t burn!
Return the Sausage & Season: Now, bring those delicious browned sausage bites back into the skillet with the fragrant garlic mixture. Give everything a good stir to coat the sausage. Taste it and season with a little salt and pepper if you think it needs it – the sausage is often seasoned already, so start small.
Cook the Pasta: While the sausage is getting happy in the skillet, it’s time to get your pasta cooking. Follow the package directions for your rotini. Once it’s perfectly al dente, drain it well and set it aside.
Whip up the Creamy Sauce: In a separate, medium saucepan, melt the other 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Pour in the heavy cream and stir. Then, whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, the garlic powder, and the onion powder. Keep stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and heated through. You’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon beautifully.
Combine & Toss: Now for the best part! Add your cooked rotini pasta and the garlic butter sausage bites to the creamy Parmesan sauce. Gently toss everything together until every single piece of pasta and sausage is coated in that luscious, cheesy goodness.
Serve & Enjoy: Dish it up immediately into bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Dig in and savor every single bite!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully forgiving, and you can totally make it your own! Here are a few ideas:

Sausage Swap: If Italian sausage isn’t your jam, try using kielbasa, smoked sausage, or even some cooked chicken sausage.
Pasta Shape: Feel free to use penne, rigatoni, or even linguine if rotini isn’t available.
Veggie Boost: Want to sneak in some veggies? Sauté some spinach or chopped broccoli with the garlic, or stir in some sun-dried tomatoes for a lovely tang.
Spice Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes to your liking, or omit them entirely if you prefer.
Extra Cheesy: If you’re a true cheese lover, add a tablespoon of cream cheese to the sauce for an even richer, gooier texture.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to make this recipe even more foolproof:

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Aim for al dente. The pasta will continue to cook slightly when tossed with the warm sauce.
Freshly Grated Parmesan is Key: Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can make your sauce a little grainy. Freshly grated melts much more smoothly.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Remember that Italian sausage and Parmesan cheese can be salty, so taste your sauce before adding too much extra salt.
Prep Ahead: You can cook the sausage and chop the garlic a day in advance to make dinner prep even faster.

How to Store It

If by some miracle you have leftovers, they’re still delicious the next day! Store any cooled pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream if the sauce seems a little thick.

FAQs

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! This pasta holds up well and can be portioned into containers for easy lunches or quick weeknight dinners throughout the week.

Can I make this dairy-free?

While the creamy Parmesan sauce is a star, you could experiment with a dairy-free cream alternative and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, though the texture will be different.

What kind of Italian sausage should I use?

Mild or hot Italian sausage is a fantastic choice! You can also use sweet Italian sausage. The casing should be removed before cooking.

Can I freeze this pasta?

While the flavors will still be good, the texture of the sauce might change slightly after freezing and thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or as a refrigerated dish.

Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

A quick and easy recipe for garlic butter sausage bites served with creamy parmesan pasta, perfect for busy weeknights and a crowd-pleasing meal.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Large skillet For browning sausage and sautéing aromatics
Slotted spoon For removing sausage from skillet
Medium saucepan For making the cream sauce
Whisk For making the cream sauce
Measuring cups and spoons
Knife
Cutting board
Strainer For draining pasta

Ingredients

Sausage and Aromatics

1 lb Italian sausage Mild or hot, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons unsalted butter For sautéing sausage
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
to taste salt For seasoning sausage
to taste pepper For seasoning sausage
0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

Pasta and Cream Sauce

8 oz rotini pasta
2 tablespoons butter For cream sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt For sauce
0.125 teaspoon pepper For sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder

Garnish

as needed fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

Brown the Sausage: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bite-sized Italian sausage pieces and cook until browned. Scoop out sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the skillet.
Sauté Aromatics: Add 2 tablespoons butter and olive oil to the skillet. Once butter is melted, add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Return Sausage & Season: Add browned sausage back to the skillet. Stir to coat. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Cook Pasta: While sausage is in the skillet, cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
Make Creamy Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Pour in heavy cream and stir. Whisk in Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir constantly until smooth, creamy, and heated through.
Combine & Toss: Add cooked pasta and sausage to the creamy sauce. Gently toss until everything is coated.
Serve & Enjoy: Dish into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is easily adaptable. Feel free to swap Italian sausage for kielbasa or chicken sausage. Any pasta shape like penne or rigatoni will work. You can also add vegetables like spinach or broccoli. Adjust spice with red pepper flakes. For extra richness, add cream cheese to the sauce. For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese and don't overcook the pasta.