Description
A creamy, dreamy one-skillet dinner combining smoky sausage, tender rotini, and a lush white cheddar ranch sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds (Andouille works for spice)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb dry rotini or fusilli pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 packet dry ranch seasoning mix (1 oz)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat and brown the sausage slices.
- Remove sausage, then add diced red pepper to the pan and sauté for 3 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in broth, heavy cream, ranch seasoning, and paprika, then stir in uncooked pasta.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
- Return the sausage to the pan, toss to coat, and garnish with parsley.
Notes
- Cooks in 20 minutes with minimal cleanup.
- Low sodium chicken broth is preferred.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg