Garlic Butter Sausage Fettuccine: A Delicious Comfort Dish

Garlic Butter Sausage Fettuccine is a rich and creamy pasta dish that perfectly combines the savory flavors of garlic butter and Italian sausage with the tenderness of fettuccine. This easy-to-make recipe is a favorite for family dinners, offering both comfort and indulgence in each bite. The luscious sauce, juicy sausage, and soft fettuccine create a satisfying and hearty meal that everyone will love.

Whether you are making it for a quick weeknight dinner or serving it to guests at a gathering, this dish never fails to impress. The garlic butter sauce coats the pasta beautifully, while the Italian sausage adds a touch of savory goodness. If you’re looking for more recipe ideas for delicious pasta, you can get some extra inspiration from Food Network’s Italian Sausage Pasta Ideas.

Why Garlic Butter Sausage Fettuccine is a Must-Try Dish

This dish is perfect for anyone who loves a hearty, creamy pasta. The combination of garlic butter sauce, sausage, and fettuccine offers a rich yet balanced meal.

The beauty of garlic butter sausage fettuccine lies in its simplicity. With just a few ingredients, you can create a dish that feels indulgent and comforting, yet doesn’t take hours to prepare. You can also easily adjust the recipe to suit dietary preferences and customize the protein, vegetables, or spices to make it your own.

For a bit more variety in your pasta options, check out Allrecipes’ Garlic Butter Sausage Pasta. This recipe is another fantastic version of garlic butter pasta, featuring similar flavors but with its unique twist.

Essential Ingredients for Garlic Butter Sausage Fettuccine

To make a truly delicious garlic butter sausage fettuccine, you’ll need these simple yet flavorful ingredients:

Fettuccine Pasta: The wide, flat shape of fettuccine allows the creamy garlic butter sauce to cling to the pasta beautifully, ensuring each bite is rich and satisfying.
Italian Sausage: This is the star of the dish. The flavorful Italian sausage adds depth and savory notes. You can opt for mild or spicy sausage depending on your heat preference.
Garlic Butter Sauce: The sauce is made with butter, garlic, and seasonings, creating a silky smooth texture that envelops the pasta. Fresh herbs such as parsley or basil enhance the sauce and bring extra freshness to the dish.
Parmesan Cheese (optional): Adding a sprinkle of parmesan cheese will give a slightly nutty flavor that complements the richness of the garlic butter sauce.

How to Prepare Garlic Butter Sausage Fettuccine

Preparing garlic butter sausage fettuccine is easier than you think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the perfect dish:

Step 1: Cook the Fettuccine

Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the fettuccine pasta and cook it according to the package instructions, typically around 8-10 minutes for al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water to help with the sauce later.

Step 2: Cook the Italian Sausage

In a large skillet or sauté pan, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage as it cooks. This will help ensure that the sausage is evenly browned and cooked through. Depending on your heat preference, you can choose either mild or spicy sausage. Once cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices you like, such as oregano, thyme, or red pepper flakes for some heat. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out and create a smoother consistency.

Step 4: Combine the Pasta and Sausage

Add the cooked fettuccine back into the pan with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together, ensuring that the pasta is well coated in the buttery sauce. Then, add the cooked sausage to the pan and mix it all together. If needed, adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or herbs to taste.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the pasta to serving plates. If you like, garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a few extra red pepper flakes for some spice. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.

Tips for the Perfect Garlic Butter Sausage Fettuccine

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: To get the perfect al dente texture, be sure to cook your fettuccine just until it’s firm but tender. Overcooking the pasta can cause it to become mushy, which isn’t ideal for this dish.
Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic will give your sauce a richer and more aromatic flavor than pre-minced garlic or garlic powder. It’s well worth the extra effort.
Balance the Sauce Consistency: If the garlic butter sauce becomes too thick, don’t hesitate to add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. The starchy water helps thicken the sauce while making it cling better to the pasta.
Customize the Sausage: If you prefer a leaner option, you can swap out the Italian sausage for turkey sausage or chicken sausage. These lighter options will still provide plenty of flavor but with fewer calories.

Variations and Customizations

While the classic version of this dish is already delicious, there are plenty of ways to customize it to suit your preferences:

Different Proteins: Swap out Italian sausage for chicken, turkey, or even shrimp if you prefer a lighter dish. Ground turkey or chicken sausage is a great alternative if you’re looking for a leaner protein.
Add Vegetables: Incorporate some vegetables to make the dish more nutritious. Spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mushrooms all pair wonderfully with the garlic butter sauce and add extra flavor and texture.
Spice it Up: For those who like a little heat, you can add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce, or opt for spicy sausage instead of mild.
Gluten-Free Option: If you’re following a gluten-free diet, simply substitute the fettuccine pasta for gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb alternative.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is hearty on its own, but you can elevate the meal by serving it with:

A Simple Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a light balsamic vinaigrette helps balance the richness of the garlic butter sausage fettuccine.
Garlic Bread: You can never go wrong with a side of warm, toasty garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Wine Pairing: A crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent pairing for this creamy, buttery dish.

Garlic Butter Sausage Fettuccine

Author: iyma hernandes

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in this creamy garlic butter sausage fettuccine recipe with savory sausage, garlic, and fettuccine pasta. Perfect for dinner.

Ingredients

Fettuccine Pasta: The wide, flat shape of fettuccine allows the creamy garlic butter sauce to cling to the pasta beautifully, ensuring each bite is rich and satisfying.
Italian Sausage: This is the star of the dish. The flavorful Italian sausage adds depth and savory notes. You can opt for mild or spicy sausage depending on your heat preference.
Garlic Butter Sauce: The sauce is made with butter, garlic, and seasonings, creating a silky smooth texture that envelops the pasta. Fresh herbs such as parsley or basil enhance the sauce and bring extra freshness to the dish.
Parmesan Cheese (optional): Adding a sprinkle of parmesan cheese will give a slightly nutty flavor that complements the richness of the garlic butter sauce.

Instructions

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: To get the perfect al dente texture, be sure to cook your fettuccine just until it’s firm but tender. Overcooking the pasta can cause it to become mushy, which isn’t ideal for this dish.
Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic will give your sauce a richer and more aromatic flavor than pre-minced garlic or garlic powder. It’s well worth the extra effort.
Balance the Sauce Consistency: If the garlic butter sauce becomes too thick, don’t hesitate to add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. The starchy water helps thicken the sauce while making it cling better to the pasta.
Customize the Sausage: If you prefer a leaner option, you can swap out the Italian sausage for turkey sausage or chicken sausage. These lighter options will still provide plenty of flavor but with fewer calories.