Description
This Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta recipe is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender rotini pasta coated in a rich, creamy tomato sauce combined with crispy browned kielbasa sausage. Infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, it is a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
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 browned and crispy on the edges to build flavor. After browning, remove the sausage from the skillet and set it 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 fully combined. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 5 minutes, letting it thicken. Then stir in half of the shredded Parmesan cheese (½ cup), letting it melt in for extra creaminess.
- Combine the Ingredients: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together carefully 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 and enjoy.
Notes
- For best flavor, brown the sausage well to get crispy edges before adding it back to the sauce.
- You can substitute rotini with penne or rigatoni for similar results.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a splash of pasta cooking water to loosen it up before combining the ingredients.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese yields better melting and depth of flavor than pre-shredded.
- This dish reheats well and keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
