Description
Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a rich and comforting Southern-inspired pasta dish made with smoky sausage, tender penne pasta, and a creamy Cajun-spiced Parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 12 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or Kielbasa), sliced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned and slightly crispy on the edges.
- Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet.
- Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release the browned bits.
- Add the heavy cream and stir gently.
- Season with Cajun seasoning, paprika, and black pepper and allow the sauce to simmer for 4–5 minutes.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated with the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Cook together for 1–2 minutes so the flavors combine.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley, extra Parmesan, and optional red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and creates a smoother sauce.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning depending on your preferred spice level.
- You can add vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for extra nutrition.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream to restore the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun / Southern Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg