I love crafting recipes that satisfy my cravings for hearty flavors. This Cajun Sausage Pasta mixes smoked sausage, penne pasta, and vibrant red bell pepper with garlic, creamy broth, and Parmesan for a dish that’s undeniably one of my favorite good pasta dishes. It is bold, comforting and wonderfully enticing.

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I recently stumbled upon this amazing Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta recipe and knew I had to give it a shot. I mean, who doesn’t love a quick and punchy dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor?

I cooked up a one pot pasta using 1 lb of smoked sausage and 12 oz of penne pasta, along with a diced onion, minced garlic and thinly sliced red bell pepper. When I added in 2 cups of low sodium chicken broth and a mix of heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, it all came together so nicely.

Topped off with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning and a drizzle of olive oil, it had just the right amount of kick. It’s one of those meals that’s simple enough to whip up on a busy day but still feels special enough to impress guests at lunch or dinner.

Trust me, you dont wanna miss out on this gem!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I love how the smoky sausage and bold Cajun spices make every bite packed with flavor. Second, I really appreciate that its a one pot meal—this makes clean up way easier and the whole cooking process feels simpler. Third, I dig how its ready in just 30 minutes, which is super awesome when I don’t have a lot of time but still want something hearty. Lastly, the creamy sauce with Parmesan and heavy cream gives it that homey, comforting vibe that makes me feel like I treat myself with every bite.

Cajun Sausage Pasta is a quick, tasty and satisfying one pot dinner that you can whip up in only 30 minutes. Its got smoky sausage, bold Cajun spices and a creamy cheese sauce all mixed together perfectly. It’s an ideal dish for weeknights when you’re in a rush or even when you wanna impress your friends with something really delicious.

Ingredients

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Smoked sausage: Provides hearty protein and a rich, smoky taste that makes the dish special.
Penne pasta: Supplies carbohydrates and gives a satisfying, chewy base for all the flavors.
Onion and garlic: Offer natural sweetness and depth with antioxidants that boost the flavor.
Red bell pepper: Adds crunch, vitamins, and a mild sweet kick perfect for balance.
Chicken broth: Acts as a savory base, blending all the seasonings and textures smoothly.
Heavy cream: Creates the luscious, creamy texture and rich flavor that ties it all together.
Parmesan cheese: Brings a salty, nutty note that enhances the overall creaminess.
Cajun seasoning: Infuses a spicy punch with a mix of herbs and spices that excite the palate.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb smoked sausage (like Andouille), sliced into rounds

12 oz penne pasta

1 medium onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 red bell pepper, sliced thin

2 cups low sodium chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp Cajun seasoning

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

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1. Heat a large pot on medium heat and add the olive oil. Once it’s warmed up, toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes until they begin softening.

2. Add the sliced red bell pepper into the pot and stir it together with the onions and garlic. Let it cook for another 2 minutes.

3. Now add the sliced smoked sausage to the pot. Cook it until it’s nicely browned on each side.

4. Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning and stir well so that the sausage and vegetables get evenly coated.

5. Pour the chicken broth and heavy cream into the pot. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.

6. Once it’s boiling, add the penne pasta into the pot. Give it a good stir so the pasta gets covered in the liquid.

7. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Let it cook for about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally and check if the pasta is al dente.

8. When the pasta is done, add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts and thickens the sauce a bit.

9. Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed.

10. Serve your Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta hot and enjoy this quick and flavorful one-pot dinner!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot with lid (for simmering the pasta and ingredients)
2. Stove (for heating and cooking)
3. Wooden spoon (to stir the veggies, sausage, and pasta)
4. Sharp knife (for slicing the sausage, onions, garlic, and bell pepper)
5. Cutting board (for safely chopping the veggies and sausage)
6. Measuring cups and spoons (to accurately measure the chicken broth, heavy cream, and Cajun seasoning)
7. Grater (for the Parmesan cheese)
8. Colander (optional, only if you decide to drain anything extra)

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different kind of sausage?
A: Sure thing, if you don't have smoked Andouille, try another spicy sausage. Just be ready to tweak the seasoning a lil bit.

Q: How long does it take to cook pasta in one pot?
A: It cooks pretty fast, usually in about 10 to 12 minutes, but check the box and stir it around so it cooks evenly.

Q: Can I make this recipe less creamy?
A: Yep, if you're not into heavy cream, you can swap some of it out for milk. The sauce might be a bit thinner, so you may want to adjust the Parmesan to thicken it up.

Q: What should I do with leftovers?
A: Just pop them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, stir in a splash of chicken broth or cream so it stays saucy.

Q: Any tips for extra flavor?
A: Definitely! Toast the Cajun seasoning in the olive oil before adding the onions. It'll bring out even more of that smoky, spicy flavor.

Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta (One Pot) Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you cant find smoked sausage like Andouille, try using kielbasa or spicy chorizo for a similar smoky kick.
If penne pasta is missing, you can use ziti or rigatoni instead. They cook up pretty much the same!
If low sodium chicken broth isn’t available, veggie broth works great and keeps the flavor nice.
Don’t have heavy cream? Mix half and half with a little melted butter or even use coconut cream if you’re feeling adventurous.
If you need a substitute for Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano is a good bet. It adds a bit more saltiness though.

Pro Tips

1. When you’re browning the sausage, try not to overcrowd the pan so every slice gets a good crisp, cause if they are too crowded, they end up stewin instead of browning nice.

2. Stir the pasta in slowly after adding the cream and broth so that it cooks evenly and doesn’t clump together. The pasta may stick if you don’t keep movin it around every now and then.

3. You might wanna add the Parmesan cheese gradually after the pasta is cooked to help thicken the sauce—if you dump it all at once, you could get lumps that don’t melt proper.

4. Taste and adjust the Cajun seasoning as you go along. Everybody has differnt spice preferences so its cool to tweak it to your liking as the flavors meld together.

Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta (One Pot) Recipe

Recipe by Toni Baldesera

0.0 from 0 votes

I love crafting recipes that satisfy my cravings for hearty flavors. This Cajun Sausage Pasta mixes smoked sausage, penne pasta, and vibrant red bell pepper with garlic, creamy broth, and Parmesan for a dish that's undeniably one of my favorite good pasta dishes. It is bold, comforting and wonderfully enticing.

Servings

servings

Calories

700

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large pot with lid (for simmering the pasta and ingredients)
2. Stove (for heating and cooking)
3. Wooden spoon (to stir the veggies, sausage, and pasta)
4. Sharp knife (for slicing the sausage, onions, garlic, and bell pepper)
5. Cutting board (for safely chopping the veggies and sausage)
6. Measuring cups and spoons (to accurately measure the chicken broth, heavy cream, and Cajun seasoning)
7. Grater (for the Parmesan cheese)
8. Colander (optional, only if you decide to drain anything extra)

Ingredients

1 lb smoked sausage (like Andouille), sliced into rounds
12 oz penne pasta
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Heat a large pot on medium heat and add the olive oil. Once it's warmed up, toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes until they begin softening.
Add the sliced red bell pepper into the pot and stir it together with the onions and garlic. Let it cook for another 2 minutes.
Now add the sliced smoked sausage to the pot. Cook it until it's nicely browned on each side.
Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning and stir well so that the sausage and vegetables get evenly coated.
Pour the chicken broth and heavy cream into the pot. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.
Once it's boiling, add the penne pasta into the pot. Give it a good stir so the pasta gets covered in the liquid.
Lower the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Let it cook for about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally and check if the pasta is al dente.
When the pasta is done, add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts and thickens the sauce a bit.
Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve your Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta hot and enjoy this quick and flavorful one-pot dinner!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.