Description
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish combining smoky sausage, tender pasta, and a blend of Cajun spices. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, it features a rich sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, simmered together in one pot for minimal cleanup and maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 10 ounces smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced
- 4 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Optional: 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables. Chop the bell peppers and onion into small pieces to ensure even cooking and better flavor integration.
- Brown the smoked sausage. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and slightly crisped.
- Sauté the vegetables and seasonings. Add the diced bell peppers, onion, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften and the spices are fragrant.
- Cook the pasta. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the pasta, reduce heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed much of the broth.
- Add cream and cheese. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If using spinach, add it now and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve. Remove the pot from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve the creamy Cajun sausage pasta hot for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute any smoked sausage you like, but Andouille or kielbasa works best for authentic Cajun flavor.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper depending on your heat preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Adding fresh spinach is optional but adds a nice color and nutrition boost.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
