There’s just something about pasta that feels like a warm hug after a long day, isn’t there? And when you pair that with rich, savory sausage bites coated in garlicky butter, you’ve got a meal that’s not only comforting but downright irresistible. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that has quickly become a favorite in my home: Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta.

This dish hits all the right notes—flavorful, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to put together. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family dinner or trying to impress guests, this recipe delivers every single time. Plus, it’s versatile enough to accommodate whatever type of sausage or pasta you have on hand.

Let me tell you a little story before we dive in. This recipe was born out of one of those “what’s for dinner” moments. I had some Italian sausage in the fridge, a half-empty box of pasta, and a craving for something creamy. A little bit of tinkering later, and this beauty was born. It’s now in regular rotation, and I’m thrilled to share it with you!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Sausage Bites:

Sausage links (Italian, smoked, or chicken sausage work well)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

12 ounces pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
Salt, to taste

For Garnish:

Fresh parsley, chopped
Extra grated Parmesan cheese

Now that we’ve got everything laid out, let’s start cooking!

STEPS

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. I always like to heavily salt my pasta water—it’s the first chance you get to season your pasta. Once the water is boiling, add your pasta of choice. Fettuccine, linguine, or penne all work beautifully here, so go with your favorite or whatever you have in the pantry.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. You want the pasta to have a bit of bite since it’ll continue cooking slightly when tossed in the sauce. Before draining, don’t forget to reserve 1 cup of the pasta water—trust me, this step is key for getting that creamy sauce to the perfect consistency later.

Drain the pasta and set it aside while we move on to the star of the show: those garlic butter sausage bites.

Step 2: Prepare the Sausage Bites

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil warms up, slice your sausage links into bite-sized pieces. I love using Italian sausage for that classic flavor, but smoked or chicken sausage works just as well if you’re looking for something a little lighter or different.

Once the skillet is hot, add the sausage pieces and cook them for about 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’re looking for that beautiful golden-brown color and making sure they’re cooked through. The browning adds so much flavor to the dish, so don’t rush this step!

After the sausage is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. We’ll be adding it back into the mix shortly.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

Using the same skillet (because who wants extra dishes?), melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add in 3 cloves of minced garlic and, if you’re feeling adventurous, ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. The garlic will become fragrant after about 1–2 minutes—be careful not to let it burn.

Next, return the cooked sausage bites to the skillet, tossing them in the garlic butter mixture so they’re fully coated and glistening. Once everything is coated and the aroma fills your kitchen, set the sausage bites aside again as we move on to the creamy Parmesan sauce.

How to Make the Creamiest Parmesan Sauce for Your Garlic Butter Sausage Bites

Alright, now that we’ve got our perfectly cooked pasta and our golden, garlicky sausage bites ready, it’s time to pull everything together with a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce that’s truly the heart of this dish. This part is where the magic really happens, and you’ll see just how simple it is to create a sauce that feels like restaurant-quality right at home.

I’ve made a lot of cream sauces over the years, and I can honestly say this one is one of my favorites. The balance of the heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan, and just a hint of nutmeg makes it so comforting without being overwhelming. And that pasta water we reserved? It’s going to help us nail the perfect silky texture.

STEPS

Step 4: Start the Cream Sauce

In a separate large skillet or saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add in 2 cloves of minced garlic. Let it cook for about 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the garlic to become nice and fragrant but not browned. Browning garlic can make it bitter, and we’re aiming for that smooth, mellow garlic flavor here.

Step 5: Simmer the Cream

Now it’s time to pour in 1 ½ cups of heavy cream. I like to use heavy cream because it gives the sauce that luxurious, velvety texture. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 3–4 minutes. This helps the cream reduce slightly, which will make your sauce nice and thick.

While the cream simmers, keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to prevent any scorching. A gentle simmer is key—boiling too hard can break the sauce and give it a grainy texture.

Step 6: Add Parmesan and Seasonings

Once your cream has thickened a bit, it’s time for the star ingredient: freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir in 1 cup of Parmesan, and watch as it melts into the cream, creating a smooth, luscious sauce.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to use freshly grated Parmesan here. The pre-grated stuff often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting properly, which can make your sauce clumpy. Freshly grated Parmesan melts like a dream and adds such a rich, nutty flavor.

Season the sauce with ¼ teaspoon of black pepper and, if you like, ⅛ teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Nutmeg might seem like a surprising addition, but it gives a subtle warmth that pairs beautifully with creamy sauces. Don’t forget to taste your sauce and add a pinch of salt if needed.

Step 7: Toss Pasta with Sauce

Now comes the best part—bringing everything together! Add the cooked pasta into the sauce, gently tossing to make sure every strand or piece of pasta is fully coated. If the sauce seems too thick, this is where that reserved pasta water comes in handy. Add it in a little at a time, stirring after each addition, until you reach your desired consistency.

You want the sauce to cling to the pasta without feeling heavy or gloopy. The starch from the pasta water helps emulsify the sauce, giving it that beautiful, silky finish.

Step 8: Assemble the Dish

Once your pasta is perfectly coated, it’s time to plate it up. Divide the creamy Parmesan pasta into serving bowls or plates. Then, take those garlic butter sausage bites we prepared earlier and spoon them generously over the top.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

For the finishing touch, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over each plate. Not only does it add a pop of color, but it also gives a little freshness that balances the richness of the sauce. And, of course, an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan is always welcome.

Now you’ve got a complete meal that’s hearty, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress anyone lucky enough to sit at your table. I love serving this dish with a simple green salad or some crusty garlic bread to round out the meal.