Smoked Sausage Cheddar Pasta
A delicious and hearty one-pot meal combining satisfying pasta, smoky sausage, and rich cheddar cheese, with a healthy touch of broccoli.
Ingredients
Pasta and Veggies
- 16 ounces bowtie pasta Can substitute with any pasta shape
- 2 packages broccoli florets (9.5 ounces each, frozen or fresh) Fresh is preferred for better texture
Meat and Dairy
- 14 ounces Petit Jean Meats smoked sausage Can use spicy sausage for a kick
- 10 ounces cheddar cheese (shredded) Can experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Gouda
- 3 cups milk Add a splash when reheating
- 1/4 cup butter
Vegetables and Condiments
- 1 onion (sliced thin)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Add broccoli florets to the pasta water or use a steamer insert over the boiling water. Cook until heated through.
- Slice Petit Jean Meats smoked sausage into 1/4-inch rounds.
Cooking
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the sausage until lightly browned. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add sliced onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Melt butter in the skillet. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in milk until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine the flavors.
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Finally, stir in the pasta, broccoli, and browned sausage. Toss everything together until well-coated in the cheesy sauce.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat with a splash of milk for best texture. You can prep ingredients in advance but enjoy fresh for best results.