If you’re looking for a dish that’s comforting, indulgent, and a little spicy, this Spicy Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake is for you! Whether you’re feeding a crowd or preparing a satisfying weeknight meal, this recipe is simple easy to make, yet fancy enough to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Every once in a while, I hit the recipe jackpot with my family and serve something that every single person at the table devours, while proclaiming with their mouths full of food, “This is good!” This Spicy Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake was one of those recipes
Second time making it, it’s delish! I left out the red pepper flakes to make it a little more kid friendly & they devoured it! Leftovers tasted great too. This will definitely be made again. Might even add some broccoli next time. Thanks!
Rachel
And the best part–this crowd pleasing casserole is so easy to make. It didn’t even bother me that it was gone in half the time it took me to put it on the table.
My boys are all huge fans of Alfredo, (this slow cooker Alfredo sauce is one of our favorites!), which is probably why they love this dish so much.
And I love that the sausage adds that extra bit of protein that so important for growing boys. This hearty, satisfying Alfredo bake is pretty much a winner all the way around!
I also love that the recipe is so easily adaptable. You can use any kind of pasta in this dish, but I recommend a tube or spiral variety–shells would be good too.
My favorite pasta to use in this dish is cavatappi. It’s fancy and fun at the same time. Just use something sturdy to go along with all of the sliced sausage. You can switch up the sausage too, if you’d like. Just be aware that many varieties of sausage would need to be cooked ahead of time.
There are so many things you could add to this recipe too. Think mushrooms, bell peppers, etc., and of course, you could make a non-spicy version.
My family loved it as is, but feel free to experiment and adapt it to your tastes. I’ve had so many friends tell me they tried this creamy pasta dish and loved it.
I just made this for the first time this weekend, and it is delicious! Between the cayenne and the red pepper flakes, its got just the right amount of heat. Add to that the smoked sausage, and you’ve got a winner. Love it and my husband loved it, too. It will be going into my tried and true file.
Lauri
Ingredients
- Pasta – Choose your favorite short pasta—penne, rigatoni, or even rotini. Their ridges and curves hold onto the creamy Alfredo sauce beautifully. Be sure to cook it just al dente since it will bake further in the oven. Nobody likes mushy pasta!
- Butter – Butter adds richness to the sauce. I use unsalted so I can control the salt level in the dish.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic brings flavor and aroma to the dish. Don’t skimp on the garlic–it’s what makes the Alfredo sauce so delicious.
- Flour – This is the thickener for your sauce. Be sure to cook it for a minute with the butter and garlic to get rid of any raw flour taste before whisking in the liquids.
- Chicken broth and Half and Half – Using chicken broth gives the sauce a light, savory base, while half-and-half adds creaminess without being overly heavy. If you’re feeling extra decadent, you can substitute heavy cream for part of the half-and-half.
- Spices: salt and pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes
- Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan is a must for that signature Alfredo flavor. For the mozzarella, shredding your own block will give you better melting and a creamier texture than pre-shredded cheese. Although I often used pre-shredded for convenience.
- Smoked sausage – Fully cooked smoked sausage is a must for this recipe. You can use classic pork, turkey, or even a chicken variety.
- Parsley – A sprinkle of parsley adds color and freshness that complements the smoky sausage and rich sauce. Feel free to skip it if you’re not a fan, but it’s highly recommended!
What To Serve With Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake
A fresh green salad is always a good choice to go with pasta, but roasted or air-fried veggies are my favorite thing to serve with this pasta bake.
These are some of our favorite vegetable side dishes.
Recipe Tips
- Undercook your pasta slightly, since it will continue cooking in the oven. This prevents it from becoming too soft or mushy. Don’t forget to salt your pasta water generously for extra flavor!
- When making the Alfredo sauce, whisk constantly while adding the chicken broth and half-and-half to prevent lumps. Once the sauce is thickened, add the cheese gradually and stir until smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of extra broth or milk.
- This recipe is a great base for adding extra veggies like spinach, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted red peppers. Stir them into the sauce before combining it with the pasta if you want to add a little variety to your routine.
Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
FAQs
What can I substitute for half-and-half?If you don’t have half-and-half, you can use a mix of equal parts milk and heavy cream.
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?Definitely! This recipe is versatile and works well with added veggies like spinach, broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted red peppers. Stir them into the sauce before mixing with the pasta.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?Yes. You can assemble the dish, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before broiling. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to ensure it heats through completely.
Can I freeze this dish?Yes, this dish freezes well! Assemble the dish without broiling, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, then broil as instructed.
More Pasta Recipes to Try
- Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells
- Cheesy Ravioli with Ham and Peas
- Cheesy Ravioli Lasagna
- Easy Alfredo Bake
- Three Cheese Garlic Noodles
Spicy Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dry pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups half and half
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese divided
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 12 oz fully cooked smoked sausage, any variety
Instructions
- Cook 16 ounces dry pasta according to package directions until just al dente; drain.
- While pasta cooks, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2-3 cloves garlic and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour.
- Whisk in 1 cup chicken broth until smooth, then stir in 2 cups half and half.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and simmer until sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese, until cheeses are melted and smooth.
- Slice 1 12 oz fully cooked smoked sausage, any variety into 1/4 inch pieces and add to the sauce, along with the chopped 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and cooked pasta. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Preheat broiler. Pour the pasta mixture into a lightly greased, 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
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163 comments
Jennet
This dish is amazing thank you for sharing. If this has already been answered im sorry for repeating. Can I freeze leftovers?
Heather
Made it tonight 6/8/24 and will bake it tomorrow night for dinner, added mushrooms to the sauce and andouille sausage to it!!
Charlotte
So yummy, quick, and easy!! I easily get overwhelmed and anxious while cooking, but this meal was amazing!!
Stefanie Blakely
Hi! Does this recipe have 2 cups of Mozzarella total or 4? The recipe says 2 cups divided (meaning 1 & 1) but then instructions say to add 2 cups in the sauce & then another 2 cups on top— which would be 4 cups divided, right? I’d love to make this, just need some clarification. Thanks!
Crystal
I came wondering on the cheese too…any clarification regarding 2+2 cups or 2 split???
Joseph S Royster
came
out outstanding I will be having this dish again
Anne
This is absolutely delicious! My only suggestion is the sauce is too thick. So just add some milk to it (or more cream works too!) Everyone raved SO much about this. Thanks for a great recipe!
Louissa
My husband is insisting that I tell you this is the best thing ever cooked and this recipe has probably saved lives.
Ross Anderson
Simply delightful! “How is it that you just throw stuff together so quickly”, say’s the wife… Thank you for this recipe. It tastes as good as it looks. Now to figure out what veggie to pair with this next time.
Peni
I never comment on recipes normally, but tonight I had to! I bought a packet of smoked sausages because they were cheap. but had NO idea what to make with them! After trawling the net for ages, I came across your recipe. Decided there and then that it was going to become dinner! Hubby’s face dropped when he walked in and saw what he thought was “Mac n Cheese”, as he really doesn’t like it, but he is very good, and eats what he is given. After just one mouthful his eyes lit up, he got this big grin on his face, and I got a mumbled “YUM!”. It really was delish!! Thank you!!
Black Raven
This was really bland as is so I made double the sauce it calls for, quadrupled the spices, added cumin, ommitted the parsley since it doesn’t have any flavor, added cumin, grilled the sausage first, added baby Bella mushrooms, and used a package of a four cheese variety.
Rayanne henri
Can you substitue the half and half for milk
Danelle
Yes!
tigerseye
This was really bland as is so I tripled the spices and added cumin, mushrooms, and bell peppers, and omitted the parsley since it doesn’t add any flavor. I grilled the sausage mixed everything together then baked it. I also used a blend of cheeses that had cheddar since mozzarella is so bland and made a double recipe of the sauce. Came out way better!
Erica H
I’ll be making this tonight as an alternative to my usual cajun alfredo sausage dish. I’ll add my usual broccoli and mushrooms, and saute the sausage first to add more flavor.
One tiny suggestion: size your recipes so they fit on 1 printed page. I don’t want to mess with my phone while cooking, so I like a printed recipe. Having a second page for a final step isn’t necessary.
Shannon
I never leave reviews for recipes but this is an exception! I made this last night using my instant pot “sauté” button for the sauce. Followed the recipe exactly and my extremely picky husband had three helpings. He also never eats leftovers but he ate the rest of the dish today for lunch. Needless to say this recipe is a winner and it is awesome because you can control how spicy you want it. Goodness gracious, thank you so much for creating a recipe that makes me seem like an awesome cook and keeps my hubby happy. Will definitely make again and again.
Ariel G.
This recipe caught my interest by just looking at it. The reviews on the dish got me even more excited. And am I glad I made it! My Fiancé is not a big alfredo lover, so was I ever shocked when he told me he went back for seconds (he didn’t get to have it when I made it fresh)! Everyone on here is correct. This recipe is a huge hit with family. It was also my first time making Alfredo from scratch instead of using jar! The only thing I changed about this really is I used normal sausage instead of spicy. It made me feel real proud when my Fiancé actually asked me to make this dish (as he never really has a request for a meal). Try it, you won’t be disappointed. Also, on a side note, I did not broil mine (as with my stove, that makes me nervous). I just baked it for about 15 minutes at 375F and it turned out the same. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Mel
How long can you refrigerate, prior to baking??
Danelle
I’d say overnight.
Rachel
Can I make this the night before and refrigerate it?
Danelle
Absolutely!
Karina Gonzalez
This was such a hit last night!!! We all literally cleaned our plates! I had to change things up a bit (missing some ingredients), so instead of cayenne pepper and red pepper, all I had was Adobo chili and Chili powder. I also added in corn and broccoli. Once everything was combined, the sauce was a bit thick, so I added a bit more chicken stock-perfection. I also added some more cheese on top as well as some bread crumbs. This will definitely be a quick go to…with soooo many options to vary it! Thank you!!
Danelle
Thank you!!!
Rebecca
This meal is so delicious and crowd pleasing that friends and family request it by the pan. I occasionally leave out the cayenne, depending on who’s eating. Regardless, no one has a complaint! Thanks for sharing!
Jen K
Danelle, this recipe is amazing! I’ve made it twice now in the last three weeks. First time as posted with sausage. The second time with rotisserie chicken, which I preferred. The Alfredo sauce is SO GOOD. It comes out perfect each time. This will be a staple in our house now!
Heather
I made this today at my daughter’s request, and everyone loved it. I loved how easy and quick it was to make-without tasting easy and quick to make! Have you ever made it in the instant pot? Thanks for an awesome recipe!
Esther
This looks so amazing! I’m definitely going to make this soon. And I can’t wait!
Kisha
Just made this and it is so yummy! I followed the directions as it was written and it came out perfectly and was also very easy to make! Will definitely be making this again soon! Thank you for sharing!
Stephanie
Can you use Alfredo in a jar to save time?
Danelle
Sure!
Lori
Do you think you can keep t.his warm in the crockpot after you make it?
Danelle
Probably for a few hours. After that the pasta may start to get soggy.
Lori
Do you think after you make this it could stay warm in a crockpot. I find chafing dishes to get to hot and dry food out.
Beverly
Best dish I’ve had in a long time! Thanks so much for sharing.
Danelle
Thank you!
Aimee
This was delicious!!! My husband and I loved that it had a little kick to it. We also added spicy smoked sausage. Sooo good!
Rachel
Second time making it, it’s delish! I left out the red pepper flakes to make it a little more kid friendly & they devoured it! Leftovers tasted great too. This will definitely be made again. Might even add some broccoli next time. Thanks!
Sandy
Can I use bacon in place of the sausage? I’m really not fond of sausage that much
SANDY
Danelle
Sure! Chicken is good too. Or both!
Charey the AKA
This dish was a hit, despite it being a tad bit too spicy. I’m definitely going to add this to one of my regular dishes.
Becky
Just made this. It was amazing! I added more chicken broth, half and half, and cayenne. So yummy!!!! First time in awhile that all 5 members of my family liked the same dish! Thank you!
Suzanne
Do you think I could substitute the half and half with cooking cream and the sausage with hotdogs??
Danelle
That would probably work fine.
Jennifer Shutt
Can I make this without the parm cheese?? I know this calls for it but not a big fan of parm cheese!!
Danelle
Yes, just sub in more mozzarella.
Vicki Gentry
I have cooked this and the whole family loved it! I was surprised there was leftovers! My husband took those to work and had to share with two other co workers! They are satill raving about it! Thank you so much!
Chris
IF I were to make this again, I?’d have to double the sauce. Too dry. No comments from the husband, daughter liked it. I felt it was too dry.
Lauren
Could heavy cream be substituted for half and half? If so, any suggestions on how much to use?
Danelle
I would use the same amount. You’ll just have thicker sauce.
Mandy
Can this be pre-made & put in the oven? If so for how long & what temperature?
Thank you
Danelle
Do you mean pre-made and kept in the refrigerator until baking? I haven’t tried that, but I’d say you could bake it at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
Mandy
Yes. I’m gonna try it tonight. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Thank you.
Kristin
I know this is an old thread and question – but I was wondering if you ever made this ahead of time and then reheated and how did it turn out? Thanks!
Amanda
I have not. It would probably dry out so I’d add extra liquid. It would only take 30 min in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven to heat through I bet. I also add spinach to mine just for some greenery. Let me know if you try making it ahead of time and how it turns out!
Rebekah
Made this tonight for my family plus 6 extra kids. Huge hit! No leftovers ~ everyone raved!!
Danelle
That is awesome! Thank you! 🙂
Jeannie
Very nice recipe, very tasty! Even though my turkey sausage was fully cooked, I nonetheless fried the rounds in a bit of oil. Created a fond in the pan which, I think, added a depth of flavor to this dish.
billie
grated Parmesan or shredded?
Danelle
I’ve used both, so whichever you prefer.
Alyson
Made this last night for the first time after pinning it last weekend. SOOOO AMAZING! I love spice and this hit the spot. BF is always the true test and he went back for seconds. I went with 3 cheese (Romano, Parmesan and Mozzarella), along with adding some more Chix Stock and cream (used Light Cream instead of half and half which was probably why)… gave me more sauce to work with for the pasta which I think was good after reading some of the comments. Half the fun of cooking is experimenting doing “a little of this” and a “little of that” – I could see this made with Chicken instead of sausage as well. Adding this into the rotation! 🙂
Danelle
Thank you SO much Alyson!
Brittany
This is one of my favorite recipes EVER. Made it exactly as the recipes shows the first time, but I didn’t think there was enough sauce to it, the leftovers absorbed the remaining sauce so it wasn’t very good leftover. The 2nd time I made it I double the sauce and left the sausage and pasta amount the same, it was PERFECT and tasted the same leftover as it did fresh. This is going in my recipe box for good!! We make this twice monthly at least.
Danelle
Thanks so much! I am definitely in favor of more sauce!
wanda
i just made this it was wonderful i used Farfalle Pasta and andouille sausage it was the best tasting alfredo i ever made
Taylor
This recipe is literally the best!!! I made this for my whole family (6) and the dish was scraped clean! I followed the exact recipe and it wasn’t as spicy as you may think. (My little 7 and 10 year old ate this) It’s the aftertaste that’s spicy…I highly recommend this!!!
Danelle
Thanks so much Taylor. So glad you liked it!
Amanda
I add spinach to mine and it’s delicious!!! Mushrooms are my next addition. I always pan fry my sausage before adding it as well.
Danelle
Those are great additions Amanda!
Alli | Tornadough Alli
We made this tonight for the second time in 2 weeks. Absolutely love this recipe!!
Danelle
Thanks Alli!
Susan Monroe
I have made this twice and my family loves it! I made the sauce recipe doubled. doubled was a little too much but the recipe made as is was not enough sauce. the pasta tends to soak it up. (i used wheat pasta). I also added a half onion sauteed with 1 green bell pepper and 2 red bell peppers. Like i said, my family loves it and I am sure to be making it many more times.
Danelle
Thanks so much Susan!
Shelly Maynard
This sounds delicious! And I just found a fantastic deal on the spicy sausage (it was at the Dollar Tree nonetheless!). $.50 for a two-pack! I have made it with ground sausage but I’ll try it with the sausages I found. I think I’ll add mushrooms, broccoli and some other veggies!
Danelle
Sounds delicious! 🙂
Shelby
Planning on making this soon for my husband! I know you explained any pasta could work, but what pasta did you use specifically? 🙂
Shelby
Oh and does it matter if you use grated or shredded Parmesan cheese? 🙂
Mya
I just finished cooking this, and I love it sooo much! I’m just now really starting to cook full meals, and this is definitely my favorite recipe that I’ve tried so far! Thank you for sharing it!
Danelle
Thanks so much Mya! 🙂