Total Time: 30 minutes
## One-Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta
Imagine a creamy, cheesy delight that satiates all your comfort food cravings. A dish so simple yet so blissfully satisfying, the One-Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta ticks all those boxes and more. Perfect for a quick family dinner, this tasty dish comes together in under an hour and requires minimal cleanup.
## The Magic of This Recipe
Let’s face it. Pasta is unanimous comfort food. Combining it with smoky sausage, rich cheese, and a host of savory seasonings only elevates it to a whole new level. This recipe cleverly melds these ingredients into one cohesive, one-pot dish, bypassing the fuss of multiple utensils and cumbersome cleanup.
## How to Create One-Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta
**Ingredients:**
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 14 oz (400g) smoked sausage, sliced
– 1 small onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cups chicken broth
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 8 oz (225g) pasta (penne or rotini works well)
– 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/4 cup sliced green onions (optional)
– 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
**Directions :**
1. Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until it browns.
2. Toss in the diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing them until they soften. This should take about 3 minutes.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well. Add your choice of pasta and stir.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then dial down the heat to low. Cover your pot and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes until the pasta is tender. Don’t forget to stir occasionally.
5. Then, add the shredded cheddar cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the dish develops a creamy consistency.
6. Season your dish with salt, pepper, and if you like, a bit of paprika. Top it off with sliced green onions for a fresh twist.
## Serving Suggestions
Serve your One-Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta hot and relish the tantalizing play of flavors! For a well-rounded meal, pair it with a crisp salad or lightly steamed veggies.
## Storing the Dish
Store your leftover One-Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Tip: Warm it up on medium heat for a few minutes for delicious next-day meals.
## Do it Right
Always opt for a good quality smoked sausage for optimal flavor. Mix occasionally while simmering to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the pasta from sticking to the pot. If the dish seems too dry, feel free to add more broth or cream.
## Customizing the One-Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta
You can switch up the recipe based on dietary needs or taste preferences. Consider using turkey sausage for a leaner option or swap the traditional pasta with a whole wheat or gluten-free variant for a healthier alternative.
## FAQs
1. Can I use any type of pasta?
Yes, penne and rotini are suggestions, but feel free to use your preferred pasta.
2. How can I make this dish vegetarian?
Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and use a vegetarian sausage alternative.
3. Can I freeze the leftover One-Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta?
While the dish is freezable, the pasta might become a little mushy when thawed and reheated. For maintaining the best texture, it’s best to consume this dish fresh or as leftovers from the refrigerator.