Creamy, Sausage Alfredo Pasta is a quick and versatile dinner recipe that is on the table in under 30 minutes! Noodles are tossed in a hearty, cheesy, alfredo sauce and sausage for an easy, satisfying meal.
Everyone needs a few good quick and easy dinner recipes. Give this One Pot Chili Mac a try this week! You’ll love this Chicken Pesto Pasta or this easy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe too.
Why this Sausage Alfredo Recipe is Best
Sausage Alfredo brings together two of my life’s joys: cheese and pasta!
- This recipe uses a few simple ingredients you probably already have in the fridge!
- The alfredo sauce is creamy and flavorful without being too heavy. Smoked sausage makes the pasta even more hearty.
- It’s a kid friendly meal that’s ideal for those busy weeknights.
This is the easiest weeknight dinner, aside from our Instant Pot Chicken alfredo and chicken caprese. Who doesn’t love some fancy (EASY) dinner recipes under their belt.
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta. I used bow ties. Any variety of pasta will do!
- Parmesan cheese. You need real freshly grated Parmesan here; not the kind from a shaker can.
- Smoked sausage. I like turkey sausage in this recipe but pork sausage is tasty too. It should be fully cooked and sliced before adding to the pasta.
- Red pepper flakes. These are optional. I add them in at the end to give the creamy sauce a bit of a kick.
How to Make Sausage Alfredo
First, cook the pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, saute garlic in butter in a pan on the stove. When the garlic is fragrant, add the heavy cream with salt and pepper.
Stir frequently while cooking until the sauce starts to thicken. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
If you’re using red pepper flakes, add them now, followed by the sausage.
Add the sauce to the pot with the cooked pasta. Toss the pasta with the sauce until evenly coated.
Tips and Tricks
- Buy Parmesan cheese in blocks. Grate it with a box grater or shredder before adding to the recipe. Freshly grated cheese melts much better than packaged shredded cheese.
- Want more heat? Sprinkle a few more red pepper flakes over individual portions of pasta before serving.
- Spicy Italian Sausage is delicious in this sausage alfredo to add more heat, too.
- Got leftover sausage? Use it up in our favorite Jambalaya Pot Pie!
- Add chicken! Our family loves this easy chicken alfredo recipe too.
- Add spinach. Try our easy spinach alfredo pasta bake next!
Recipe FAQs
Alfredo should be made fresh, just before serving. The cream and butter will separate upon reheating. This is not a good choice for a make ahead meal.
Diced cooked chicken makes a delicious swap for the sausage in this recipe!
I do not recommend freezing Sausage Alfredo Pasta. Freezing and thawing affects the consistency of the alfredo sauce.
Serve Alfredo Pasta with a light and fresh side dish for a balanced meal. This Olive Garden Salad is a great option! We love rounding out any Italian meal with a loaf of Garlic Bread too.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Chicken Pesto Pasta: a delicious, quick dinner recipe for busy weeknights!
- Serve up this Italian Chicken Casserole and watch your family devour it!
- Fork tender, melt in your mouth, this is the BEST Mississippi Pot Roast recipe. A Naturally low-carb dinner idea made in the slow cooker!
- Creamy Tuscan Garlic Blackened Salmon Pasta has a cheesy garlic sauce with cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach! Serve over pasta for a restaurant quality meal in under 30 minutes!
Family Dinner Recipes
See all Main Dish recipes
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Sausage Alfredo Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound 16 ounce dry pasta
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic pressed
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz fully cooked smoked sausage sliced
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.
- While pasta cooks, add butter and garlic to a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, until butter is melted and garlic begins to brown.
- Slowly add in heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Simmer until sauce thickens on medium heat, about 8-10 minutes. Stir frequently.
- Add in Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (optional). Stir in sliced sausage and add to pot with drained pasta. Stir together, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
Video
Nutrition
This Sausage Alfredo Pasta is a 30 minute meal that checks all the boxes. It’s easy, flavorful and even picky eater approved!
I made this tonight for dinner and it was an absolute hit!!! My only recommendation is maybe 2 smoked sausage. One was spread a little thin amongst us. This has so much flavor!!!!
So happy this was a hit at your house 🙂
Amazing!!! Ty so much!
You’re welcome!
Made this tonight for dinner and it was very good!! Something Different!! Family said it’s a keeper. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes.
So happy to hear it!
I’m about to make this recipe and I was confused on the amount of pasta I needed. I got a pound because I thought “1 pound 16 ounces” were the same thing. Am I wrong? Was I supposed to buy more pasta?
1 pound is 16 ounce of pasta.
Delicious! To change it up I often add either broccoli, halved cherry tomatoes, or peppers. All add a little different twist.
Can I use salted butter or does it have to be unsalted?
Salted butter is fine. There’s usually a lot of sodium in cheeses, pasta, and sausage, so just be cautious to not add more salt.
The taste is delicious! Sauce is a little thin, but I think I’ll just cook it down a little next time. I used whole wheat pasta (better for T1D blood sugars!) and added a sprinkle of cheese before serving. Mmmmmmm
I love this recipe. Its simple to make but, so delicious. The res flakes add a kick. Thank you for sharing
This recipe is outstanding! It’s become a monthly/bi-monthly staple at our house! Today, I browned the sausage in butter before adding to the sauce…soooooooo good!!!
This was a huge hit with my family. They devoured the whole dish. Thanks so much for a great recipe.
The best kind of comfort food! My whole family loved this!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! It is really easy to make and it tasted super delicious! Will have it again!
It turned out a bit salty, but I’m pretty sure that’s my fault as I didn’t exactly measure the spices…whoops. Simple recipe with a nice, rich sauce. I halved the recipe – hoping it won’t make more than 2 servings, but I’m sure it will be eaten regardless. Thank you for sharing!
I love alfredo because it’s so easy to make. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I am excited to try this 🙂
This looks great. It’s just my husband and myself so I almost always have leftovers. Do you think reheating it on the stove stirring well would mix the cream back together?
Yes it does. Add a little butter and or milk if necessary!
Good Afternoon, I am wondering if it is possible to make this as a casserole the night before 7 then heat up in oven day of party?
Alfredo should be made fresh, as the cream separates from the butter upon reheating.
Can I use heavy whipping cream instead? Having trouble finding plain heavy cream
Heavy whipping cream is what you need 🙂