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Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring spicy Cajun sausage in a creamy sauce, ready in just 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Pasta & Protein
  • 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 lb smoked sausage or Andouille sausage sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
Vegetables & Aromatics
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, optional
  • 2-3 green onions chopped for garnish
Creamy Cajun Sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1-2 tsp Cajun seasoning adjust to taste
  • 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • fresh parsley chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned and slightly crisp, about 4–5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté 3–4 minutes until softened. Add cherry tomatoes if using and cook 2 more minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in butter, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Slowly pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Add cooked pasta and sausage back to skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
  6. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, or extra Cajun seasoning.
  7. Plate pasta in bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley and green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is perfect for customizing with your favorite veggies or swapping in turkey sausage for a leaner option.