Garlic Butter Sausage Bites With Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Savory Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Crispy, golden sausage bites drizzled with garlic butter sausage bites parmesan create a mouthwatering meal that demands attention.

Sausages sizzle and dance in a hot skillet, releasing their savory aroma.

Melted butter mingles with fragrant garlic, coating each morsel with irresistible flavor.

Tender pasta provides the perfect canvas for these delectable bites, catching every droplet of rich sauce.

parmesan cheese adds a salty, sharp complexity that elevates the entire dish.

Each forkful promises a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more.

You won’t be able to resist this simple yet spectacular combination of comfort and gourmet flavors.

FAQs

  • What type of sausage works best for this recipe?

Italian sausage or smoked sausage are perfect choices. They provide great flavor and texture, and both brown nicely in the skillet.

  • Can I make this dish spicy?

Yes, add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce. You can adjust the amount to control the heat level according to your preference.

  • Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?

Use turkey sausage instead of traditional pork sausage. You can also substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce calories and fat content.

  • How can I ensure my pasta is perfectly cooked?

Always taste test your pasta 1-2 minutes before the package instructions suggest. Look for an al dente texture where the pasta is tender but still has a slight bite in the center.

Reasons To Love Garlic Butter Sausage Bites

  • Conquer Weeknight Dinners: This honey mustard chicken recipe rescues busy cooks with minimal prep and maximum flavor, transforming ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal without complex techniques.
  • Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows personalization by adjusting mustard types, swapping herbs, or adding side dishes to match individual taste preferences and dietary needs.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Profile: Combines sweet honey and tangy mustard creating a universally appealing sauce that satisfies both kids and adults, making it perfect for family meals or casual gatherings.
  • Foolproof Cooking Method: Simple sear-and-bake technique ensures juicy chicken with golden exterior, guaranteeing consistent results even for novice home cooks with limited culinary experience.

Ingredients Needed For Garlic Butter Sausage Bites

Protein:
  • Sausage: A flavorful meat that provides the main protein for the dish.
Fats and Oils:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Adds richness and helps with cooking and creating a smooth sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a creamy and luxurious texture for the pasta sauce.
Seasonings and Herbs:
  • Garlic, Garlic Powder: Provides a deep, aromatic flavor to both the sausage and pasta sauce.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle heat and spice to the dish.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile.
  • Parsley: Offers a fresh, bright garnish that adds color and a light herbal note.
Pasta and Cheese:
  • Pasta: The base of the dish that serves as a vehicle for the creamy sauce.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
Additional Liquids:
  • Chicken Broth: Provides depth and additional flavor to the sauce.
  • Pasta Water: Helps adjust the sauce consistency and adds starchy richness.

Step-By-Step For Making Sausage Bites With Pasta

Step 1: Prepare Sausage Sizzle

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add sausage pieces and cook while stirring occasionally.

Watch for golden-brown edges and crispy surfaces, which takes about 5-7 minutes. Transfer sausages to a separate plate.

Step 2: Create Garlic Butter Magic

In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Drop in minced garlic and let it dance around for 1-2 minutes until wonderfully aromatic.

Sprinkle red pepper flakes for an extra kick if you’re feeling adventurous.

Step 3: Reunite and Coat Sausages

Return sausages back to the pan, swirling them through the luscious garlic butter sauce.

Let everything mingle and heat through for 2-3 minutes. Scatter fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.

Step 4: Boil Pasta Perfection

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil and slide pasta into the water.

Cook according to package directions until pasta reaches that ideal al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes. Before draining, rescue 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Sauce

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Pour in chicken broth and let it simmer gently.

Blend in:
  • Heavy cream
  • Garlic powder

Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken beautifully.

Step 6: Cheese Transformation

Introduce Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring until it melts completely and creates a silky smooth texture.

Season with salt and black pepper to your taste preferences.

Step 7: Pasta and Sauce Romance

Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring every strand gets a delicious coating.

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water. Warm everything together for 1-2 minutes.

Step 8: Delicious Finale

Plate the creamy Parmesan pasta as the base. Crown it with those sizzling sausage bites.

Sprinkle extra parsley and Parmesan cheese on top for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Secrets For Perfect Garlic Butter Sausage Bites

  • Use medium-high heat to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in maximum flavor and prevents burning.
  • Reserve pasta water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings beautifully to each pasta strand without becoming too thick.
  • Adjust garlic quantity based on personal preference – less for mild flavor, more for bold garlic lovers.
  • Choose fresh, high-quality sausage for richer taste and better texture in the final dish – Italian or spicy varieties work wonderfully.
  • Add Parmesan cheese slowly and stir continuously to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce consistency.

Creative Twists On Garlic Butter Sausage Bites

  • Vegetarian Sausage Swap: Replace meat sausage with plant-based sausage links or crumbled tofu sausage for a meat-free version that maintains similar flavor profiles.
  • Spicy Mediterranean Version: Substitute Italian sausage with chorizo and add smoked paprika, oregano, and extra red pepper flakes for a bolder, zestier Mediterranean-inspired dish.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Replace traditional pasta with roasted cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles to create a lighter, low-carbohydrate meal that still delivers rich, savory flavors.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure sausage is certified gluten-free, replacing chicken broth with vegetable broth to accommodate dietary restrictions while preserving the recipe's delicious essence.

Best Foods To Pair With Sausage Bites

  • Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich, garlicky sausage and creamy pasta with a bold Chianti or Zinfandel that can stand up to the intense flavors and cut through the buttery sauce.
  • Enhance with Crisp Side Salad: Balance the heavy dish with a light, tangy arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast and add brightness to the meal.
  • Match with Garlic Bread: Create a perfect accompaniment by serving crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add an extra layer of garlic-infused crunch to the dining experience.
  • Quench with Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or amber ale that can match the richness of the sausage and provide a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the creamy Parmesan pasta.

Tips For Keeping Sausage Bites Fresh Longer

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate sausage and pasta to maintain texture.
  • Pack cooled dish in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Parmesan sauce might separate slightly when thawed.
  • Place pasta and sausage in microwave-safe dish. Add splash of chicken broth or milk to prevent dryness. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
  • Warm in skillet over medium-low heat. Add small amount of broth or cream to restore sauce consistency. Stir gently to prevent pasta from breaking, heating until steaming hot.
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Garlic Butter Sausage Bites With Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Garlic Butter Sausage Bites With Parmesan Pasta Recipe


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4.7 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling garlic butter sausage bites with parmesan pasta deliver a mouthwatering blend of savory sausage and creamy pasta. Rich flavors dance together, creating a comforting meal that promises to satisfy hungry diners with minimal effort and maximum taste.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound sausage (Italian sausage or preferred type, casing removed, cut into bite-sized pieces)

Dairy and Seasonings:

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Spices and Oils:

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)

Instructions

  1. Sear sausage pieces in olive oil over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, rotating until golden and crisp on all surfaces. Transfer to a separate plate.
  2. In the identical skillet, melt butter at medium temperature. Incorporate minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until aromatic. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for optional heat.
  3. Reintroduce sausage to the pan, thoroughly coating with garlic butter sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to ensure complete heating and flavor infusion.
  4. Simultaneously, prepare pasta in generously salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender. Drain, preserving 1/2 cup pasta liquid.
  5. Create sauce by melting butter in a saucepan. Pour chicken broth and bring to gentle simmer. Whisk in heavy cream and garlic powder, cooking 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely dissolved and sauce achieves silky consistency. Season with salt and black pepper.
  7. Fold cooked pasta into creamy sauce, adjusting texture with reserved pasta water if necessary. Warm for additional 1-2 minutes.
  8. Plate pasta and crown with garlic butter sausage bites. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Choose spicy or mild sausage based on personal heat preference, allowing customization of flavor intensity.
  • Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to create silky, perfectly balanced sauce consistency without becoming too thick or dry.
  • Opt for fresh garlic instead of powder for more robust, authentic flavor profile that elevates the entire dish’s taste experience.
  • Consider gluten-free pasta alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for low-carb or dietary-restricted versions of this comforting meal.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 380 kcal
  • Sugar: 0.5 g
  • Sodium: 560 mg
  • Fat: 33 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 1 g
  • Fiber: 0.3 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Maya Thompson

Maya Thompson

Culinary Content Creator & Nutrition Enthusiast

Expertise

Healthy single-serving recipes, Meal prepping for individuals, Integrating nutrition into everyday cooking, Vegetarian and plant-based cuisine​

Education

The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Nutrition, meal planning, and culinary techniques for healthy living.


Maya found her passion in the kitchen by mixing good food with good energy. After earning her culinary degree at The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College, she made it her mission to keep cooking simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor.
At Steelhead Diner, Maya shares easy, healthy recipes built for real life. For Maya, great food seems like a celebration of everyday moments, made better one fresh bite at a time.

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