Garlic Butter Sausage Bites
| For the sausage bites | |
| 1 lb | smoked sausage or Italian sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces |
| 3 tbsp | butter |
| 3 cloves | garlic, minced |
| 1 tbsp | olive oil |
| 1 tsp | Italian seasoning |
| Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) | |
| Salt and pepper to taste | |
| For the pasta | |
| 12 oz | pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite) |
| 2 tbsp | butter |
| 1½ cups | heavy cream |
| 1 cup | grated Parmesan cheese |
| 1 tsp | garlic powder |
| ½ tsp | black pepper |
| Salt to taste | |
| Fresh parsley (for garnish) |
| For the Garlic Butter Sausage Bites |
| Cook the sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside. |
| Make the garlic butter: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Return the sausage to the skillet and toss in the garlic butter until coated. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley. |
| For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta |
| Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. |
| Make the creamy sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and garlic powder, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. |
| Combine: Toss the cooked pasta in the creamy Parmesan sauce until fully coated. |
| Serve |
| Assemble the dish: Serve the garlic butter sausage bites over the creamy Parmesan pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a touch of freshness. |
| Helpful Tips |
| For extra richness, you can add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the sausage while cooking. |
| You can substitute the sausage with chicken or shrimp for a different variation. |