Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sausage and Fettuccine

Ingredients:

1 lb fettuccine pasta
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions:

Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, until browned and cooked through (about 7-8 minutes). Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Stir in the heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, until slightly thickened.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce.
Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet, then toss in the cooked fettuccine pasta. Stir to coat the pasta and sausage in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4-6