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Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

Sausage Alfredo Skillet Dinner (30 Minute Recipe)

Published: Jan 10, 2022 Last Updated: May 20, 2022 by Marye 1852 words. | About 10 minutes to read this article.

Skillet smoked sausage Alfredo recipe is done in less than 20 minutes! It's a hearty skillet dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights.
Total time 15 minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Closeup of a spoonful of sausage Alfredo with gooey cheese coming off the spoon. Text overlay for Pinterest.

One of the things I love about this recipe, besides the comfort food factor, is the short list of simple ingredients!

It's done is 20 minutes or less, too. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners!

Close up of a spoonful of sausage alfredo with a text overlay for Pinterest.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥄 Equipment
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Tips
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • Smoked Sausage Alfredo Skillet Dinner
  • We All Need Comforting Once in Awhile
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • This is an easy weeknight dinner that comes together in 20 minutes or less. Your entire family will enjoy this meal - this great recipe is going to become a part of your regular rotation!
  • When you're craving something creamy, quick, and comforting for dinner, this sausage Alfredo recipe really hits the spot.
  • One of the things I absolutely adore about this easy dinner recipe is the number of possible variations. This recipe is made with simple ingredients, and can be modified easily!

Imagine you're late leaving work...

Traffic is terrible. It's cold and drizzling. By the time you walk in the door you want nothing more than a hot bath, a soft robe, and...

Hellooooo Sausage Alfredo Skillet Dinner! Ahhhh......

🧾 Ingredients

Just six simple ingredients!

Labeled ingredients for sausage alfredo.

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • medium shell pasta
  • butter
  • onion
  • smoked sausage
  • Alfredo sauce
  • Mozzarella cheese

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions for this creamy sausage Alfredo skillet dinner are in the green recipe card below.

Step by step images for making homemade Alfredo with sausage.
  1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chopped onions and saute. Add in the sliced sausage and cook together.
  2. Stir in the cooked pasta and alfredo sauce.
  3. Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese on top.
  4. Place under a broiler and cook until the top is golden brown.

🥄 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • pot
  • strainer
  • large, oven safe skillet
  • spatula
  • cheese grater

🥫 Storage

Store leftovers covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.

You can also freeze this creamy smoked sausage and pasta recipe in the freezer for up to 3 months!

Just pop it into a sturdy ziploc freezer bag or a freezer container.

Overhead view of this this recipe - decorative image.

📖 Variations

  • I like to use spicy smoked sausage because it's a nice contrast with the creamy sauce.
  • Try cooked Italian sausage instead of smoked sausage - either sweet or hot (or a mixture of the two!).
  • Chicken sausage, andouille sausage, and smoked turkey sausage all are delicious in this recipe.
  • Of course, cooked, leftover chicken is delicious in this dish.
  • Add green and red bell peppers in the pan when you are sautéing the onions for both color and flavor.
  • Mix up cultures with the addition of some poblano pepper or a little jalapeno.
  • A few handfuls of fresh, baby spinach is good  in this dish.
  • I like shell pasta because it collects the sauce but penne pasta, fusilli, farfalle, and rotini are good, too.
  • Use smoked Provolone instead of Mozzarella on the top before broiling.
  • Next time, try adding parmesan cheese on top with the Mozzarella for an extra cheesy flavor.
  • If you happen to have some cooked broccoli, green peas, green beans, or whatever - toss it in.
  • Use cooked chicken or turkey in place of the sausage. Make it FAST by picking up a rotisserie chicken at the store!
  • Cheese tortellini works well in this recipe.
  • Add some crushed red pepper flakes for heat.
  • Chopped pimento is a delicious addition.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: Use an oven safe skillet when preparing this recipe so that you can put the whole thing straight in the oven when it is ready.

  • You can assemble this up to a day ahead of time in a baking dish and then just shove the whole thing in the oven for about 30 minutes if the idea of cleaning up after dinner is overwhelming.
  • Using an iron skillet allows you to put the whole thing in the oven to crisp up the top.
  • Don't let the sauce come to a boil - it can separate a little. Heat it at a simmer.
  • Save time by buying chopped onions or chopped onions and Bell peppers in the produce section of your store.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

What if I don't have pasta shells?

The great part about this sausage alfredo pasta is that you can really use your favorite pasta, as long as it is similar in size and shape to medium pasta shells. I personally love this recipe with penne pasta or bowties.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the sausage with some vegetables, beans or plant based sausage to make this easy dinner recipe vegetarian friendly.

Plateful of creamy Alfredo pasta.
This Alfredo Sausage Skillet dinner is perfect for those busy weeknights.

📚 Related recipes

  • One of my favorite recipes is my chicken lasagna with homemade alfredo sauce. If you're a huge fan of this sausage alfredo bake, you are going to love this cheesy take on a classic dish.
  • The cheesy sauce in my baked macaroni and cheese makes it the perfect comfort food.
  • And if you're really in the mood for fettucine alfredo, my alfredo chicken ravioli is for you! I can guarantee this recipe will be a huge hit the whole family will love.
  • Overhead view of the casserole with pepperoni on top/
    Meat Lover's Tater Tot Pizza Casserole
  • Overhead view of the finished dish for feature image.
    Baked Boneless Buffalo Chicken
  • Overview of a panful of Spanish rice.
    Spanish Rice with Leftover Rice
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🍽️ Serve with...

  • My southern green beans are the perfect veggie side dish to balance out the creamy alfredo sauce!
  • There is no greater combo than pasta and breadsticks. Try pairing your dinner tonight with fazoli's garlic breadsticks.
  • A fluffy white cupcake is a great dessert to go along with this hearty dinner.
  • For a lighter dessert, you can't go wrong with my red white and blue fruit salad.

If you are anything like me, and I bet you are, you're mind goes blank when you're in a hurry. It's one reason I love my make ahead pizza dough.

I end up throwing dinner on the table and yelling over my shoulder as I slink out of the room, "cut up some lettuce to have with it". 

Here are some quick and easy menu ideas when this comforting smoked sausage recipe is your main course:

  • Sliced tomatoes with Italian vinaigrette, 30 minute garlic bread or bread from the grocery store, melon slices
  • Steamed, buttered broccoli, hot Italian bread, chocolate cobbler (microwave in minutes)
  • Green beans sauteed with garlic, brown and serve rolls, ice cream
  • Mixed baby lettuce greens with mandarin orange slices, purchased bread sticks, cookies

If you'd like a wine to serve with this dish I'd recommend a Pinot Bianco, Reisling, or Pinot Grigio. If you're more of a beer person a craft IPA really works.

📞 The last word

When you need quick, creamy comfort food you'll love this easy Sausage Alfredo skillet dinner!

Caramelized onions, smoked sausage, and cooked shell pasta are stirred together with Alfredo sauce then topped with Mozzarella.

After a few minutes under the broiler the dish comes to the table steaming; bubbling hot with a golden brown, crispy-cheesy crust. Your family will love it!

Tortellini alla panna is another quick and comforting recipe.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overhead view of sausage Alfredo skillet dinner in a cast iron skillet.
4.60 from 25 votes

Smoked Sausage Alfredo Skillet Dinner

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Skillet smoked sausage Alfredo recipe is done in less than 20 minutes! It's a hearty skillet dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights.
Course Main Dish (Quick and Easy)
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings:6
Calories:609
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Iron Skillet

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces medium shell pasta, cooked
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
  • 15 ounces Alfredo Sauce, commercial or homemade
  • 1 cup Mozzarella, shredded

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Preheat the broiler.
  • Cook the pasta 10 minutes in salted boiling water to cover, or as directed on package.
  • Drain.
  • Meanwhile melt the butter in a heavy, 12-inch iron skillet.
  • Add the chopped onion and saute about 3 minutes.
  • Add the sausage and continue to saute, stirring often, about 2 more minutes or until the onion is golden and soft.
  • Stir in the drained pasta and the Alfredo Sauce.
  • Sprinkle with Mozzarella.
  • Place under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe has been slightly changed because you can no longer get a pound of sausage - it's been downsized to 12 ounces.
Tips-
Expert Tip: Use an oven safe skillet when preparing this recipe so that you can put the whole thing straight in the oven when it is ready.
  • You can assemble this up to a day ahead of time in a baking dish and then just shove the whole thing in the oven for about 30 minutes if the idea of cleaning up after dinner is overwhelming.
  • Using an iron skillet allows you to put the whole thing in the oven to crisp up the top.
  • Don't let the sauce come to a boil - it can separate a little. Heat it at a simmer.
  • Save time by buying chopped onions or chopped onions and Bell peppers in the produce section of your store.
Variations
  • I like to use spicy smoked sausage because it's a nice contrast with the creamy sauce.
  • Try cooked Italian sausage instead of smoked sausage - either sweet or hot (or a mixture of the two!).
  • Of course, cooked, leftover chicken is delicious in this dish.
  • Add green and red Bell peppers in the pan when you are sautéing the onions for both color and flavor.
  • Mix up cultures with the addition of some poblano pepper or a little jalapeno.
  • A few handfuls of fresh, baby spinach is good  in this dish.
  • I like shell pasta because it collects the sauce but penne pasta, fusilli, farfalle, and rotini are good, too.
  • Use smoked Provolone instead of Mozzarella on the top before broiling.
  • If you happen to have some cooked broccoli, peas, green beans, or whatever - toss it in.
  • Use cooked chicken or turkey in place of the sausage.
  • Cheese tortellini works well in this recipe.
  • Add some crushed red pepper for heat.
  • Chopped pimento is a delicious addition.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 609kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 1112mg | Potassium: 288mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 243IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 1mg

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    We All Need Comforting Once in Awhile

    A Caribbean vacation in the first week of January sounds like a great idea until you come home to snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. Thanks a lot, Texas.

    I came home from vacation with some sort of respiratory infection that's left me exhausted, a backlog of work that's piled up more than anticipated, colder than normal temperatures, and a heater with a loose wire that only works when all the planets are in the proper alignment.

    Since it's too cold to throw peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the family and call it dinner I've been thankful for quick and easy dinners like this.

    I mean, when it's cold and blustery who wouldn't want to come home to creamy comfort food?

    a serving of sausage alfredo bing removed from a skillet

    First published January 2018. Last updated January 10, 2022 for better images and readability. The recipe was downsized to reflect changes in smoked sausage packaging.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gwen

      June 15, 2021 at 7:35 pm

      5 stars
      This was easy and delicious.

      Reply
    2. Jennifer

      January 26, 2018 at 10:17 am

      4 stars
      What do you mean it's too cold to do PB&J? When it's that cold, YOU TOAST THE BREAD FIRST. Problem solved. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        January 30, 2018 at 8:54 am

        HA!!! I love it.

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