Creamy Spicy Cajun Sausage Pasta (Printer-friendly)
Spicy Cajun sausage and pasta in a rich creamy sauce, all cooked together in one pot for maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Sausage & Aromatics
01 - 14 oz smoked Cajun sausage, sliced
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
→ Spices & Seasonings
07 - 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
08 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Pasta & Liquids
11 - 10 oz penne or rigatoni pasta, uncooked
12 - 3 ⅓ cups low-sodium chicken broth
13 - ¾ cup heavy cream
→ Cheese & Garnish
14 - ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Return the sausage to the pot. Stir in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper until evenly distributed.
04 - Add uncooked pasta to the pot. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well to combine, ensuring pasta is submerged.
05 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce becomes creamy. Remove from heat and let rest uncovered for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
07 - Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pot, meaning less cleanup and more flavor as the pasta absorbs all those spicy, creamy juices
- The Cajun seasoning transforms simple ingredients into something that tastes like it simmered for hours
- Its forgiving enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for company
02 -
- Dont be tempted to add extra liquid. The pasta releases starch as it cooks, naturally thickening the sauce into something velvety and rich.
- The pasta continues to absorb liquid even after you remove it from heat, so if the sauce looks a little loose, just give it those few minutes of resting time.
03 -
- Use a pot with a heavy bottom. It distributes heat more evenly and prevents the pasta from sticking.
- Reserve a handful of Parmesan to sprinkle on top just before serving. Those salty little bites are the best part.