Description
A creamy Cajun sausage pasta that’s quick, beginner-friendly, and packed with bold flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Smoked sausage, sliced
- Bell peppers, chopped (any color)
- Garlic, minced
- Onion, chopped
- Cajun seasoning
- Heavy cream (or half-and-half/coconut cream)
- Pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Olive oil or butter
- Pasta water or broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve half a cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, and brown the sliced sausage on both sides for 3–4 minutes.
- Add chopped onion and bell peppers, and sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the mixture and stir well to coat everything evenly.
- Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add a splash of pasta water or broth if too thick.
- Mix in the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese. Toss until fully coated and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese or Cajun spice if desired.
Notes
- Reduce Cajun seasoning or use a mild blend for less spice.
- Plant-based or turkey sausage can be used as alternatives.
- Use coconut cream or dairy-free cream to make it dairy-free.
- Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to avoid drying out.
- For best freezing results, freeze without the cream and add it fresh when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg