Description
Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a quick, flavorful one-pot dish combining spicy Cajun sausage with penne pasta in a rich, velvety cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, this recipe offers bold spices, cheesy richness, and vibrant veggies, all ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Pasta
- 12 oz Cajun sausage (spicy or mild, sliced)
- 10 oz penne pasta
Dairy and Liquids
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
Spices and Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning blend
Garnish
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, keeping it slightly firm to hold the sauce better.
- Sauté the Sausage and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced Cajun sausage and cook until browned and crisp around the edges. Then add diced onion, garlic, and bell peppers, cooking until softened and fragrant.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and simmer for a few minutes to deglaze the pan. Add heavy cream and Cajun seasoning, stirring until well combined and sauce thickens slightly. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese to enrich the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well with the creamy sausage sauce until every piece is coated. Cook together on low heat for 1-2 minutes to meld flavors and make the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately to enjoy the fullest creaminess and spiciness.
Notes
- Use Quality Sausage: Choose a brand you love for the best flavor impact.
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Keep pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce.
- Simmer Gently: Maintain low heat to avoid cream curdling.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Save some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
- Fresh Parmesan is Best: Use freshly grated cheese for better melting and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Cajun sausage pasta, creamy pasta, spicy pasta, one pot meal, quick dinner