Description
Cajun Sausage Pasta is a quick, spicy, and creamy dinner ready in under 30 minutes, featuring smoky sausage, bold Cajun spices, and tender pasta in a luscious, flavorful sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it balances heat and creaminess for a comforting meal the whole family can enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Protein
- 12 oz smoked Andouille or Cajun-style sausage, sliced
Pasta
- 8 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, herbs)
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking Essentials and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water, and set aside.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces, add to the skillet, and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add diced onions and bell peppers. Sauté until softened and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release the aroma.
- Add Spices and Liquids: Stir in the Cajun seasoning, then add crushed tomatoes and heavy cream. Simmer gently to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sausage: Return the browned sausage to the skillet. Toss in the cooked pasta and stir everything together. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- Finish with Cheese and Serve: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and stir until melted into the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Use quality sausage with good seasoning and fat content for best flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture when mixed with the sauce.
- Add cream gradually and taste to balance richness and spice.
- Reserve some pasta water to help blend sauce and pasta smoothly.
- Adjust spice levels by modifying the amount of Cajun seasoning or adding hot sauce.
- For dairy-free version, replace heavy cream with coconut milk and omit cheese.
- Substitute sausage with chicken, shrimp, or tofu for different proteins.
- To reduce saltiness, use low-sodium sausage and balance flavors with lemon juice or fresh herbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg