Easy Cajun Sausage Pasta
This creamy and spicy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a flavor explosion ready in under 30 minutes. Perfectly cooked pasta is coated in a rich sauce with juicy bites of Cajun sausage, making it a guaranteed family favorite.
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Large skillet
- Colander
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta penne, rotini, or favorite shape
- 1 pound Cajun sausage, sliced andouille or preferred type
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper any color
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped optional
- Red pepper flakes optional
- Extra Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the sliced Cajun sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained), heavy cream, and chicken broth. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 5-10 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta and browned sausage back to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes (if desired), and extra Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your preferred level of spice. Andouille sausage is a classic choice, but other types of sausage like kielbasa or spicy Italian sausage can also be used. For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese. Remember to reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.