Description
This Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender rotini pasta with crispy, browned kielbasa sausage in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. The sauce, infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, perfectly coats every bite, making it a satisfying meal ideal for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage
- 2 (12 oz) packages of Kielbasa, sliced into ½ inch pieces
Pasta
- 16 oz rotini pasta
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped, to garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the Sausage: Slice the kielbasa into ½ inch pieces. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the sausage slices. Cook them until they brown and become crispy on the edges, which enhances their flavor. Once browned, remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the heavy whipping cream, tomato sauce, and tomato paste until well combined. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken. Stir in half of the shredded Parmesan cheese (½ cup) and let it melt into the sauce, adding extra creaminess.
- Combine the Ingredients: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together thoroughly so the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce and the sausage is well distributed. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese as it melts better and has richer flavor.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end, tasting the sauce to suit your preference.
- You can substitute rotini pasta with any other short pasta like penne or rigatoni.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- To make the dish lighter, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
