Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta
A quick and easy creamy Cajun sausage pasta with bold, spicy flavor balanced by a rich, velvety sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners and packed with smoky sausage and tender pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium bell pepper (red or green), diced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 ounces sliced Andouille sausage and cook until browned and slightly crisp on the edges, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage from the pan and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Once melted, add 1 medium chopped yellow onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 diced bell pepper; cook another 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning and cook for 1 minute to toast the spices. Then add 1 can drained diced tomatoes, stirring to combine.
- Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Stir well, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the browned sausage to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and gently toss to coat everything in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley over the top for garnish. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
Be careful not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce without watering down flavor. Browning the sausage properly adds caramelized flavor. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent cream curdling. Adjust spice level by varying Cajun seasoning amount.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (a
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 32.5
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 47.5
- Fiber: 3.5
- Protein: 27.5
Keywords: Cajun sausage pasta, creamy pasta, spicy pasta, Andouille sausage recipe, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, comfort food