Last Updated 08-15-2024
Penne pasta and smoked sausage come together with a creamy, cheesy sauce in this Spicy Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake. A favorite quick and easy weeknight dinner.
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
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.
“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
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 dish is pretty much a winner all the way around!
Tips for making this recipe
- Don’t have Half and Half? Substitute milk, cream, or a combination of both. Using milk will also make the recipe a bit lighter and calorie friendly
- Try chicken or shrimp in place of the sausage. Or add your favorite veggies!
- You can bake this dish instead of broiling it. It is called a pasta bake, after all. I often do this if I’ve prepared the recipe ahead of time. Simply bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. I still like to turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end for a bubbly, golden top.
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.
What should I serve with spicy 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.
FAQS
Can I make this pasta bake ahead of time?
Yes! I often make it the morning I plan to serve it for dinner and leave it in the refrigerator until baking. I wouldn’t make it much further ahead than that, or the pasta will become mushy.
Can I freeze this pasta bake?
Yes! Once it’s assembled, cover it tightly with foil and freeze. You can thaw before freezing, or just bake from frozen (you’ll need to add some extra cooking time).
Do I have to use penne pasta in this recipe?
No. Any kind of pasta will work–even noodles like spaghetti and fettucine. Rigatoni is the most similar to penne. I really love making this dish with cavatappi.
What is Half and Half?
It’s simply the brand name for a mixture of equal parts whole milk and cream. So it’s easy to create a substitution if you don’t have it on hand.
How thick should the sauce be?
Your sauce should be similar in consistency to Alfredo sauce. For a thicker sauce, you can always add more cheese?
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what do I need to make this recipe?
- Pasta – any kind of pasta will work
- Butter – I use unsalted
- Produce: garlic, fresh parsley
- Flour – all-purpose is just fine
- Chicken broth – I make my own using chicken bouillon
- Half and Half – can substitute whole milk, cream, or a combination
- Spices: salt and pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese – use freshly grated if you can
- Mozzarella cheese – Monterrey Jack cheese also works well
- Smoked sausage – for an even spicier dish, try Andouille sausage
Be sure to save this Spicy Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
What people are saying about this recipe
Love, love, love! This is seriously good, ya’ll ! We were practically licking our plates when we were finished. It was so filling too! I will make this again! ~ Trista
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
I just got done making this dish! Mind you, I’m 23 and a terrible cook. I absolutely loved this!! I added extra pepper for some more spice and some large shrimp and it tasted so good! If I can cook this, anyone can!! ~ Lauren
I made this for my family tonight. My son is 12 and he has autism. After his first bite he said, My taste buds are dancing! Thank you for this awesome recipe! ~ Tobi
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). I highly recommend this!!! ~ Taylor
Made this last night for the first time after pinning it last weekend. SOOOO AMAZING! Adding this into the rotation! ~ Alyson
My 9-year-old son chose this recipe for dinner tonight and it was the perfect meal for such a chilly night. He’s already asking when we can make it again. ~ Robin
I made this for dinner last night, and it was a hit! My husband LOVED it and so did my kids. Very easy to make and very tasty. ~ Amber
Tips for Cooking Pasta
Use a big pot: Cook pasta in a large pot–big enough to hold 6 quarts of water per pound of pasta.
Salt: Generously season your cooking water with salt. A few teaspoons per quart of water is a good place to start.
Don’t overcook: Boil your pasta to until it is al dente–so it’s still a bit chewy. You’ll want to test your pasta for flavor and texture every 20 seconds or so during the last few minutes of cooking.
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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Nutrition
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Who Dished It Up First: This is an original recipe.
Hello! I’m Danelle. Thanks for visiting.
Uptown foodie meets real life at Let’s Dish, where I share all my favorite recipes. Making meal time easy, but doing it in style!
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! 🙂
Mary
This was great! I came across this recipe and remembered that I had a smoked turkey sausage on hand so I decided to make this tonight. I made half a recipe for the two of us but it made so much that we have about half of it to reheat in a day or two. I used whole wheat penne and used 1 percent milk because we didn’t have any half and half. I just let the sauce cook a little longer and it came out fine. We had Parmesan cheese but not mozzerella so I used the low-fat three cheese blend I found in the fridge. It came out perfect! This is a wonderful “adult” mac and cheese and I think you could use any cheese with it and it would be good. I will be making it again!
Danelle
Thank you Mary. So glad you liked it!
Mistie
I just made this. It was a hit!
Danelle
Thanks Mistie! 🙂
Adelina
Hey, all!!
This recipe sounds amazing!! I think I will make it tonight for dinner. What kind of pan did you use to make it before you put it in the oven? Newbie here.. Thanks
Danelle
I used a skillet then transferred it to a baking dish.
Lyndy
Making this for dinner tonight!! thank you.
Megan
I do not have half n half could I use a jar of Alfredo sauce instead?
Ariana
Delicious! One of my favorite recipe uses kale & andouille sausage, which I already had on hand, so I made your recipe with them instead. I mostly followed you directions but had to leave out all the hot spices because the sausage is plenty spicy enough.
First, I sautéed the garlic, sweet onion, & kale then added the sausage until cooked. Then, I removed everything from the pan to make the cheese sauce. Finally, I combined everything in a baking dish & slid it in the hot oven. It was great, everyone loved it!
kelly
Sauce never got thick….grrrr
caddy
Did you add the flour?
Danelle
Yes, in step 2.
Adilene
This seems like the PERFECT recipe for tonight’s dinner, unfortunately I don’t have any half and half on hand. Does anybody know of any replacements for half and half for this recipe?
Danelle
You could try evaporated milk, or just whole milk.
Melissa
This is a keeper!!! I made this tonight and it was wonderful! Super easy! AND Super tasty!
Katy
Awesome recipe! My husband request this dish all the time.
Charell Hartzel
I made this tonight – it is really good! Easy too.
I used a flavored chicken sausage and it was perfect.
I did not think the sauce was overly spicy.
I only had 3/4 cup half & had, so I used 11/4 cup whole milk . It took a little longer to thicken, but the results were the same.
Danelle
Thank you!
Rebekah
Do you think you could substitute evaporated milk for the half and half if you wanted a lower calorie count? I have done that before with beef strogonoff successfully, so I am wondering if it would work for this recipe as well.
Danelle
I think that would work Rebekah. I’d love to hear how it goes!
Tobi
I made this for my family tonight. My son is 12 and he has autism. After his first bite he said, My taste buds are dancing! Thank you for this awesome recipe!
dawn
Making this now – sauce is yummy. I added spinach to the mix for a veggie. Thank you for an awesome recipe!!
Danelle
Thanks so much Dawn. Spinach is a great idea!
Lauren
I just got done making this dish! Mind you, I’m 23 and a terrible cook. I absolutely loved this!! I added extra pepper for some more spice and some large shrimp and it tasted so good! If I can cook this, anyone can!!
Carol
Made this tonight it was great. Tweaked it by cooking sausage first with onions, added garlic, removed from pan, then made roux in same pan, added broth and cream, then cheese with a bit of cheddar too. Put it all together, then baked it on 375 for twenty minutes because my husband was running late! Delicious and a treat! Thank you!!
Danelle
Thanks Carol!
Carly
This was delicious! Thank you!
Adam
You were copied
http://www.fiftyshadesofgritsandgrace.com/2015/07/recipe-spicy-sausage-alfredo-bake.html
Anon
Because no one should ever make a recipe that someone else posted publicly, right?
Rena
We just tried this tonight and it was delicious! The only note I would make is that when you’re making it, you ought to start your sauce before you begin boiling your noodles. That time passes quickly, and I pre-measured my ingredients. Thanks so much for sharing this new household favorite!
Tori
We made this tonight with some Italian sausage instead of smoked sausage, and (accidentally) omitted the parsley. DELICIOUS!! My husband tried to go back for thirds! We will definitely make this again. 🙂
Britney
Okay! Thanks 🙂 mine automatically sets at 525 but i can lower it also.
Britney
Ive never used my broiler before..lol preheat to what degree?
Danelle
Britney, I think on most ovens you just turn on the broiler, you don’t really set it to any degree (although I think on some you can). On mine when I turn on broil it just automatically turns the topper element on to 500 degrees.
Jessica
Mine usually just has a high or low setting. I opt for high. Just be sure to stand there and watch it. When using the broiler it can go from perfect to burnt in just a few seconds.
Erica
Just made this tonight! Easy, fast and super delicious! It makes a bit so I froze half for another night. Thank you for sharing! Found this on Pinterest and will have to search your site now for other yummy recipes to try!
Alexandria
I prep it ahead of time and place in the fridge until ready to broil. I omit the cayenne pepper and it’s just the right spicy for me with the red pepper flakes. I use kielbasa sausage. Kids love it too.
Lexi
So could I use premade alfredo and it still turn out great?
Jennifer
That’s what I was thinking! I need a shortcut. 🙂
Michelle
I made this tonight and followed all the steps but it turned on very runny and wasn’t a thick sauce at alll. A little disappointed, not sure what I did wrong.
Jessica
When it comes to the step where you add flour…you need to do the next few steps slowly, while stirring the entire time. This creates a rue and makes the sauce thick. So after you add the flour mixture it with the butter until it’s thick but smooth. As you add in the liquids, do it slowly. A little at a time, stir it in until smooth, then add a little more. Continue to do this with the cheese as well. It should keep it nice and thick and you can easily adjust your amount of liquids for thicker or thinner sauce. Hope this helps
Jessica
Tried this last week with conecuh sasuage and extra spices and my goodness it’s delish! Making it again tonight for a get together
Jon Peroutka
Delicious. Very cheesy. I added sautéed poblano peppers, onions, and some broccoli and it worked out great. Thanks.
Amber
I made this for dinner last night, and it was a hit! My husband LOVED it and so did my kids. I made a mild version of this, because the pepper would have been too spicy for my little ones. Instead of the red and cayenne pepper, I added some dried basil, oregano and a little extra salt to the sauce. I also forgot to add the flour (on accident) and it still turned out DELICIOUS!! This is a great base recipe for alfredo sauce. Very easy to make and very tasty. I used kielbasa sausage and rotini pasta. Next time I will make more of the alfredo sauce and add some fresh veggies. This will be on heavy rotation at our house. Thank you for a delicious and easy recipe!
Alex
I made this last night, it was my first time making sauce it came out really good! Definently added this recipe to our meals
LaurieJ
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.
Danelle
Thank you Laurie. So glad you liked it! 🙂
Trista
Love, love, love! This is seriously good, ya’ll ! We were practically licking our plates when we were finished. It was so filling too! I will make this again!
Danelle
Thanks so much Trista!
Tiffany
Actually, after I posted that comment, I went looking online and found that My Fitness Pal has a great nutrition calculator for any recipe! You just enter all the ingredients, enter in how many the meal serves, and then you get all the nutrition information per serving. It’s great!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
Thanks for the response!
Danelle
I thought it might do that! Good to know too, since I do get asked from time to time. Thanks!
Tiffany
Can I find nutrition information on this recipe somewhere?
Jeri
Made this for dinner today. It was easy and delicious. I used turkey kielbasa.
Ashley
How thick is the sauce suppose to turn out.
Danelle
It should be about the consistency of Alfredo sauce.
yulissa
My pasta came out too thick.. 🙁
Danelle
If it’s thicker than you like, just add more broth or cream.
Shanna
This was AMAZING!!!!!! My picky husband, who typically doesn’t love the “casserole” type dishes I try, LOVED it! I froze three portions, so I’ll update you all when I thaw one of those out and cook it. He said, “This would be awesome finished on the smoker”. I got him one for Christmas..so we’ll try that as well some time!! THANK YOU!!!
Laura
So good! And much easier and quicker than I anticipated! I added an onion when I sautéed my garlic. Someone mentioned adding baby portabellos and I think they would be a fabulous addition! This is so much richer than the healthy cooking I’m accustomed to, but it hit the spot on such a bitterly cold, snowy day! Although, I’d be terrified to know the calorie count!
Robin
My 9-year-old son chose this recipe for dinner tonight and it was the perfect meal for such a chilly night. He’s already asking when we can make it again. I left out the cayenne but used plenty of black pepper and Penzey’s Aleppo pepper and it was a big hit with the kids. I liked how it was quick to finish despite the “bake” name – I went into it expecting to have to bake it for an hour or more like lasagna, so this was a pleasant surprise.
Lyn
Making this tonight! Sounds Delish!! I’ll be back for more recipes, Thanks!
Gabrielle
Making this now. My only question is what do we do with the flour? The ingredients call for it, but it’s not in the instructions. Please help! Lol can’t wait to try by the way!!!!
Gabrielle
Nevermind I need my eyes checked 😉
Gabrielle
Omg it was so delicious! Thank you for the greater how. Did everything as instructed and then added a can of green chiles. My bf went back for seconds and he never does!!! 🙂
Sarah
I had to read the recipe a few times to catch the flour step too. It came out so great, I’ve made it a few times now for dinner game night and parties. So easy and a big crowd pleaser!
Sara
I tried this tonight after Pinning it not long ago. We really enjoyed it!
Shanna
Has anyone tried freezing this and if so, at what point would you freeze it? Looks AMAZING!!!
Danelle
I haven’t tried it Shanna, but I would say make it up to the point where you put it in the pan, before broiling, then freeze it. I think you would have to do more of a longer baking when you went to cook it–the quick broil wouldn’t be enough obviously. But I think it would work to freeze it, thaw it, and then bake it for about 30 minutes, covered. You could do a broil at the very end, just to brown the cheese.
Laura
If refrigerate was it, what temp do you bake it at?
Naomi
Can I bake this instead of broiling? How do I do That?
Jennifer
I froze it after assembling it. Then baked it with foil still on for 40 minutes. Then broiled.
Alicia
thanks. Was going to make for a friend and was wondering if you could freeze. This is probably a dumb question, but did you thaw before baking?
Erica
I made this last night and it was reeeeally good and easy! It was exactly what I was craving. I also made some changes I thought I would share.
1. I added double the spice 🙂 I like it hot!
2. I took a half a crown of broccoli florets and put them in food processor and added them to the sauce when I added the spices.
3. I took 6oz of baby bella mushrooms and put them lightly through the food processor so they were not too tiny and added them to the sauce with the broccoli.
My only regret is that I was unable to grill the sausage to add that charred flavor, but the sausage alone was great!
The broccoli and the mushrooms let me add some veggies to my dish without over powering it! Just a quick way to sneak it in without making it the main focus.
Thanks for posting and happy cooking!
Danelle
Love your additions! I like spicy too. I’ll have to try double spices next time! 🙂
Tiffannie
I was wondering how spicy this is?
Jessic
I made it once and the kids found it too spicey. Second time around I used half the spice that it calls for and it was way better. Will defiantly put this on our regular dinner list to eat
Jaci
It really isnt spicy. I am not much for spicy foods. Just gives a bit of a flavor to it. But it would be good without the spicy seasonings too.
Sarah
Finally got around to making this tonight. Easy, yummy and plenty of leftovers and definitly a crowd pleaser!
Rebecca - FoodFlav
Just made these- SOOOOO yummy!
Teresa
Wow, I think I just need to be eating at your house every night! You always have such delectable recipes.
Kim - Liv Life
Isn’t it so nice when that happens?? I’m not sure I remember the last time it did for us. Love, love this one!
Sarah
This looks yummy, I’m going to try it out tonight!
Matt Robinson
That sausage looks awesome in there, what a great idea!
Jenn
So are there 4 cups of mozzarella in it? It says to add the 2 cups to the sauce. Then says to add the remaining 2 cups on top? The ingredient list only says 2 cups.
Danelle
I recently updated my recipe card and apparently it changed to instructions automatically! Thanks for noticing. I think I’ve fixed it now. It is only 2 cups total, not 4.