16ouncebox pastayour choice, I recommend a shell pasta or macaroni
½stick butter4 Tablespoons
2teaspoonsminced garlicor garlic paste
1poundItalian sausagemild or spicy - or 2 cups ham, or any meat of choice
2cupstomato sauce
1cuphalf & half
1cupParmesan cheese
salt & pepperto taste
parsleyfor garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cook pasta noodles according to package directions.
Add half a stick of butter to a skillet over medium-high heat and melt.
Add garlic and cook until lightly browned, being careful not to burn it.
Add Italian sausage, ham, or meat of choice. For sausage, break it up into tiny pieces using a wooden spoon and cook until browned. For ham, cook until it is browned and begins to "pop" in the pan. For all other meats, cook through completely and to desired doneness before moving on to the next step.
Once meat is done cooking, add tomato sauce and stir until well-blended.
Lower the heat. Gradually pour in half & half while stirring. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce is well-blended.
Add in your cooked pasta, then mix in Parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Once fully mixed, top with parsley if desired, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
You can use any meat you like. If using chicken or steak, cook in strips or cubes and make sure the meat is cooked through before adding sauce ingredients. Season the meat as desired before cooking, but test salt levels before adding more.
Cook pasta so it is just slightly underdone, because it will continue to cook when you add it to the sauce.
Add the half & half gradually, not all at once, and only after lowering the heat. If you add the half & half too quickly, it may curdle.
Break up any chunks of Parmesan as you add it to the sauce.