Description
A comforting and creamy smoked sausage pasta dish featuring rotini pasta tossed in a rich cheese sauce with browned smoked sausage, garlic, and diced tomatoes. This hearty recipe is quick to make and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sausage
- 16 oz rotini pasta
- 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced
Sauce
- 3 tbsp salted butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 4-7 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups half and half
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 cup shredded cheese (such as cheddar or mozzarella)
- 15 oz diced tomatoes, drained
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the sliced smoked sausage. Cook until browned and slightly crisp on the edges, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Roux and Garlic Base: In the same skillet, melt the salted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and minced garlic until fully combined, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Add Dairy and Stock: Gradually pour in the half and half while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in the chicken stock and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Season and Melt Cheese: Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir in the shredded cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sausage: Add the cooked smoked sausage, drained diced tomatoes, and pasta to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Toss everything gently to ensure the pasta and sausage are fully coated with the creamy sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the shredded parmesan cheese over the top. Serve the dish warm, garnished with extra parmesan if desired. Enjoy your creamy smoked sausage pasta!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of garlic based on your preference for a milder or stronger flavor.
- Use a cheese like cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend for the shredded cheese to suit your taste.
- Make sure to drain the diced tomatoes well to prevent the sauce from becoming too watery.
- This dish stores well and can be reheated for quick lunches or dinners.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when seasoning the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
