One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta combines smoky sausage, vibrant bell peppers, and al dente pasta in a luscious creamy sauce seasoned with bold Cajun spices. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and flavorful meal perfect for weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 10 ounces smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa)
Pasta and Grains
- 4 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (mixed colors)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (add more if needed)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Spices
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra spice)
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Slice the smoked sausage into thin rounds. Chop the bell peppers and onions. Measure out Cajun seasoning, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese to have everything ready for cooking.
- Cook the Sausage and Veggies: In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and sauté until browned and slightly crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, add the diced bell peppers and onions, cooking until they soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Create the Base: Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning and garlic powder over the sautéed vegetables, stirring well to coat and release the flavors, about 1 minute. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the pasta directly into the simmering broth and vegetable mixture. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking. Cook until the pasta is al dente, approximately 10-12 minutes, adding extra broth if the liquid reduces too much.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low once the pasta is cooked. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and well combined. Return the cooked sausage to the pot and mix everything thoroughly. If using, stir in fresh spinach until wilted.
- Final Seasoning: Taste the dish and add salt sparingly, only if necessary, as the sausage and cheese provide natural saltiness. Adjust spiciness with additional black pepper or cayenne pepper according to your preference.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the creamy Cajun sausage pasta hot, garnished with chopped parsley and more shredded Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes for a flavor and color boost.
Notes
- The recipe can be made gluten free by substituting normal pasta with gluten-free pasta.
- Adding fresh spinach is optional but adds nutrition and color.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spiciness level.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth or cream to reach your desired consistency.
- Use smoked sausage like Andouille for authentic Cajun flavor, but kielbasa works well too.
Keywords: Cajun sausage pasta, creamy sausage pasta, one pot pasta, Cajun pasta recipe, quick dinner, easy pasta meal