Description
Cajun Sausage Pasta delivers bold, spicy flavors that dance across your palate with Southern charm. Rich andouille sausage and creamy sauce create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (red, yellow, or green)
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes at a rolling boil. Drain, keeping 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water for later use.
- In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear sausage slices until golden and crisp, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables become translucent and slightly softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning across the mixture, thoroughly incorporating to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Reduce skillet temperature to medium-low. Add butter, creating a rich base for the sauce. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring continuously.
- Integrate Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, whisking until it thickens and develops a luxurious consistency, roughly 2-3 minutes.
- Fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is lavishly coated. If sauce appears too thick, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired creaminess.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish. Serve immediately while hot and steaming.
Notes
- Swap spicy Cajun sausage with milder turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter protein option that still packs flavor.
- Create a gluten-free version by using alternative pasta like chickpea, zucchini noodles, or grain-free pasta alternatives.
- Control heat levels by adjusting Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to match personal spice tolerance without losing authentic Cajun taste profile.
- Enhance nutrition by adding extra vegetables like spinach, kale, or mushrooms during the sauté stage for more balanced and colorful meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 552 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg