Ingredients
12 oz smoked sausage (kielbasa or andouille), sliced into rounds
16 oz penne pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to package directions until al dente.
Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides.
Step 3: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Step 4: Stir in the minced garlic and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 5: Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 6: Drain the pasta (reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water) and add the noodles to the skillet. Toss with Parmesan cheese and add pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
Step 7: Season with salt and pepper, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half and use turkey sausage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: smoked sausage, pasta, penne, easy dinner, 30 minute meal
