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To make creamy smoked sausage pasta, gather these tasty ingredients: - 8 oz (225 g) penne pasta - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - 12 oz (340 g) smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces - 1 medium onion, finely diced - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced - 1 red bell pepper, diced into small cubes - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish If you can’t find some ingredients, don’t worry! Here are some swaps you can try: - Pasta: You can use any pasta you like, such as fusilli or rigatoni. - Smoked Sausage: Try kielbasa or chicken sausage for a lighter option. - Heavy Cream: Use half-and-half or coconut cream for a different flavor. - Parmesan Cheese: Grate some Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a vegan option. - Vegetables: Mix in zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms for more veggies. You’ll need some basic tools to whip up this dish: - A large pot for boiling pasta - A spacious skillet for sautéing - A colander to drain the pasta - A cutting board and knife for chopping - A cheese grater for the Parmesan These items make cooking easier, helping you create a delightful meal! {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, fill a large pot with 4 quarts of salted water. Bring it to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces of penne pasta to the pot. Cook the pasta based on the package instructions, usually 10 to 12 minutes. You want it to be al dente. This means it should be firm when you bite into it. After cooking, drain the pasta in a colander. Set it aside while you prepare the other ingredients. Next, take a large skillet and heat 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Wait until the oil shimmers. Add 12 ounces of sliced smoked sausage to the skillet. Sauté the sausage for about 5 minutes. You want it to be browned and a bit crispy. After that, remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside. Keep the tasty fat from the sausage in the pan; it adds flavor to your dish. In the same skillet, add one finely diced medium onion. Cook it for about 2 to 3 minutes until it turns soft and translucent. Then, add 3 cloves of minced garlic and one diced red bell pepper. Sauté these for another 3 to 4 minutes. This will let the flavors blend. Now, stir in one cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Cook them until they begin to burst, which should take around 2 minutes. The juices from the tomatoes will add great taste. Now, lower the heat and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well to mix everything. Gradually add 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika as you stir. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens a bit, about 2 to 3 minutes. Finally, return the browned sausage to the skillet. Add the drained penne pasta and toss everything together. Ensure the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. Taste it and add salt and black pepper as needed. Your creamy smoked sausage pasta is now ready to serve! To make your creamy smoked sausage pasta shine, use simple seasonings. Start with smoked paprika. This spice adds a warm, smoky flavor. Add salt and pepper to taste. Fresh herbs can boost the dish. Basil works well, but parsley is nice too. You can also sprinkle some red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. A creamy sauce needs to be smooth. To achieve this, heat the cream gently. Stir often to avoid burning. When you add Parmesan, do it slowly. This helps it melt evenly. If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water. This will loosen it up without losing flavor. How you present your dish matters! Serve the pasta in wide, shallow bowls. This lets the vibrant colors pop. For a touch of elegance, drizzle olive oil on top. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese for a beautiful finish. Lastly, add fresh basil leaves as a garnish. This not only looks great but adds more flavor too. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, opt for fresh vegetables and high-quality sausage to enhance the overall flavor of your dish. Adjust the Creaminess: For a lighter version, substitute half the heavy cream with chicken broth or use a lighter cream alternative. Perfect Pasta Cooking: Make sure to cook the pasta just until al dente; it will continue to cook when mixed with the sauce, preventing it from becoming mushy. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to add or substitute other vegetables, such as spinach or zucchini, to add more nutrition and flavor to the dish. {{image_4}} You can easily add more veggies to your creamy smoked sausage pasta. Try adding: - Spinach or kale for a green boost. - Zucchini, sliced thin for added crunch. - Mushrooms for a rich, earthy flavor. - Peas for a pop of sweetness. Cook these veggies with the onion and bell pepper. This adds color and nutrition. Switching up the sausage can change the dish’s flavor. You might try: - Chicken sausage for a leaner option. - Italian sausage for a spicy kick. - Turkey sausage for a lighter choice. Each type brings its own taste. Pick one that fits your mood! If you need gluten-free or dairy-free options, it's simple. Use: - Gluten-free penne pasta made from rice or corn. - Coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream. - Nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. These swaps keep your dish tasty while fitting your dietary needs. Enjoy your creamy smoked sausage pasta any way you like! To keep your creamy smoked sausage pasta fresh, let it cool first. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Make sure to seal it tightly. Store the container in the fridge. It helps to label the container with the date. This way, you know when you made it. When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, take them out of the fridge. You can reheat the pasta on the stove or in the microwave. If using the stove, add a splash of milk or cream to prevent it from drying out. Stir it gently over low heat until it is warm. In the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. This will ensure even heating. Your creamy smoked sausage pasta will stay good in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. In the freezer, it can last up to 2 months. Just remember to use a freezer-safe container. When you're ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then follow the reheating instructions above. Yes, you can use other types of pasta. Options like fusilli, farfalle, or rigatoni work well. Just remember to adjust the cooking time based on the type you choose. The key is to cook it until it's al dente. This keeps the pasta firm and tasty in your dish. If you want to avoid heavy cream, try using half-and-half or whole milk. You can also use coconut milk for a dairy-free option. These substitutes will change the flavor and texture slightly. To get a thicker sauce, mix in some cornstarch or a bit of cream cheese. To add some heat, you can include red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. Stir these in while cooking the sausage or veggies. Another option is to use spicy sausage instead of smoked sausage. Adjust the amount based on your personal spice level. Enjoy the kick! This blog post covered the main ingredients and steps for making creamy smoked sausage pasta. We explored key ingredients and tasty substitutes, along with helpful cooking tips. You can adjust the recipe to fit your taste, add options for veggies, and choose various sausages. Remember to store leftovers properly for best quality. I hope you enjoy making this dish as much as I do. It's easy, flexible, and so satisfying!

Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta Delight

A delicious pasta dish featuring creamy sauce, smoked sausage, and fresh vegetables.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced into small cubes
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • to taste salt
  • to taste freshly ground black pepper
  • for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, bring about 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it's al dente, which usually takes about 10-12 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside in a colander.
  • In a spacious skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the sliced smoked sausage and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the sausage is nicely browned and slightly crispy. Once done, remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pan.
  • In the same skillet with the sausage drippings, add the diced onion and cook for around 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and soft. Next, add the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper; continue sautéing for an additional 3-4 minutes, letting the peppers soften and release their natural sweetness.
  • Gently stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to burst, which should take about 2 minutes. This will release their juices, adding flavor to your dish.
  • Reduce the heat to low and carefully pour in the heavy cream, stirring well to combine the ingredients. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle in the smoked paprika, continuing to stir until the cheese melts fully and the sauce thickens slightly, around 2-3 minutes.
  • Return the browned smoked sausage to the skillet, along with the drained penne pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the delicious creamy sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
  • Plate the creamy smoked sausage pasta generously and garnish with fresh basil leaves for an added burst of flavor and a pop of color.

Notes

Serve in wide shallow bowls for a beautiful presentation.
Keyword creamy, dinner, pasta, sausage