If you need a go-to dinner meal idea that’s ready in 15Â minutes or less, this Creamy Garlic Pasta Shells with Smoked Sausage recipe is sure to become your new family favorite! Made with a homemade cream sauce and smoked fried sausage, it will satisfy your taste buds and leave your family thinking you spent way more than half an hour in the kitchen.
This recipe is on my monthly rotation of meals. It’s quick, easy, and delicious. I love making a big pot of it and having leftovers the next day.  I have definitely added it to my favorite comfort food recipes list! It’s like hot dogs and mac n’ cheese grew up, and a million times better … 🙂
Creamy Garlic Pasta Shells with Smoked Sausage
- 8 ounces mini shells pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp dried parsley flakes
- ½ package smoked sausage, thinly sliced
- Boil the pasta until firm, drain, and set aside. Using the same pot, add the olive oil and butter and melt over medium heat. Stir in garlic and simmer for 20-30 seconds (do not brown the garlic). Stir in flour and whisk for 1 minute, then pour in the milk, chicken broth and whisk until the mixture is bubbling. Add garlic powder, cheese, and parsley. Mix in the pasta. Set aside. In a small pan, fry the sausage slices until done to your liking. Add to the pasta and stir.
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You can slice and fry your sausage before or after you make the pasta. But be careful to save some for the pasta 😉 I have a hard time resisting them and eat them out of the pan until they are almost all gone, and I have to make more!
Just look at all that creamy goodness. I think the sausage and garlic sauce compliment each other amazingly well!
Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats
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