Garlic Butter Sausage Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients:

1 lb turkey sausage links (or chicken sausage), sliced into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz pasta (like penne or rigatoni)
1/4 cup reserved pasta water (optional, for thinning sauce)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions:

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, then add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.