Smoked Sausage Pasta W Cheese
Indulge in the comfort of creamy, cheesy goodness with our Smoked Sausage Pasta w Cheese recipe! This quick and easy one-pan dish combines tender penne pasta, savory slices of smoked sausage, and a velvety cheese sauce made with cheddar and mozzarella, all brought to life with hints of garlic, Italian herbs, and a touch of paprika. The rich sauce, thickened with heavy cream and crushed tomatoes, perfectly coats every bite, while the slight smokiness from the sausage adds incredible depth of flavor. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner to satisfy the whole family. For an added touch of freshness, garnish with chopped parsley and prepare to savor a delightful medley of textures and tastes!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 12 oz smoked sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Slice the smoked sausage into 1/4-inch rounds. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage slices and cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned, then remove them from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the diced onion. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until combined and simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Continue stirring until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add the cooked penne pasta and browned smoked sausage back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat the pasta and sausage evenly with the cheese sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4334 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 268.3 g | 344% | |
| Saturated Fat | 131.2 g | 656% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 740 mg | 247% | |
| Sodium | 6898 mg | 300% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 298.1 g | 108% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.3 g | 72% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.8 g | ||
| Protein | 166.1 g | 332% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2213 mg | 170% | |
| Iron | 21.5 mg | 119% | |
| Potassium | 2431 mg | 52% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
