This one-pot creamy Cajun sausage pasta is packed with bold flavors! It’s spicy, creamy, and loaded with delicious andouille sausage and colorful veggies.
It comes together quickly and cleanup is a breeze!
Plus, it’s totally delicious! I topped mine with a sprinkle of parsley and some extra Parmesan cheese, but feel free to customize it however you like.
It’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Cajun Sausage Pasta
Packed with Flavor: If you like Cajun food, you’ll love this pasta. It’s packed with Cajun seasoning, andouille sausage, and fire-roasted tomatoes.
Visually Appealing: The vibrant red peppers and green parsley garnishes are lovely. They add to its visual appeal and make it more enticing at parties and gatherings.
Customizable Heat: You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your preference.
Ingredients
- Andouille Sausage: This spicy, smoked pork sausage brings loads of authentic Cajun flavor to every bite.
- Olive Oil: Use just a splash to saute the sausage and veggies.
- Aromatics: These are your veggies (onion and red bell pepper) and garlic. Some call them the “holy trinity” of Cajun cuisine.
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: These smoky, sweet tomatoes complement the spicy sausage perfectly.
- Chicken Broth: Broth provides savory depth to the creamy sauce. It also helps cook the pasta.
- Heavy Cream: It gives the sauce its creamy, velvety texture and adds a nice richness to the overall flavor.
- Cajun Seasoning: It’s a mixture of paprika, garlic, thyme, cayenne, and more. If you don’t have any, this homemade Creole seasoning makes a suitable substitute.
- Pasta: I prefer penne for this recipe because it holds up well under the other hearty ingredients. However, you can use whatever pasta shape you like.
- Cream Cheese: Use block-style cream cheese, cut into cubes. It’ll melt into the sauce for an extra creamy, slightly tangy finish.
- Parmesan: Grate it yourself for the best results. Its sharp, salty, cheesy flavor accentuates and complements the spice perfectly.
- Fresh Parsley: It’ll add an eye-catching pop of green to finish the dish.
How to Make Cajun Sausage Pasta
The steps for this recipe are quick, simple, and easy to follow.
1. Brown the sausage. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the sausage until browned. Then, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
2. Saute the veggies. Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet and saute for about 5 minutes until softened. Then, add the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the liquids. Pour in the tomatoes, broth, and cream. Add the Cajun seasoning at this time, as well. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Add the pasta. Add the pasta and reduce the heat. Cover the skillet and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes.
5. Stir in the cheese. Once the pasta is al dente, uncover the skillet and stir in the cream cheese and Parmesan until melted and creamy. Then, return the sausage to the pan.
6. Garnish and serve. Garnish the dish with fresh parsley and serve. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Cajun Sausage Pasta
This recipe is pretty straightforward. I still have a few tips to keep in mind, though:
- Deglaze the pan. After cooking the sausage, be sure to deglaze the pan. The stuck-on browned bits in the sauce add more flavor.
- Don’t overcook! Remember to cook your pasta to al dente, nothing more. If you cook it too much, it’ll become mushy when simmered in the sauce.
- Cater it to your tastes. You can always add more or less cream cheese to suit your tastes. The more you add, the creamier the sauce will be. The same goes for the Cajun seasoning. If you’re heat-sensitive, you may want to add less.
- Switch things up. Use different pasta shapes and proteins in this recipe. Sometimes, I add shrimp in with the sausage. Or, I leave out the sausage and just add shrimp or chicken. You can also add extra veggies, such as spinach or mushrooms.
- Serve it in style. Serve with garlic bread or crispy baguettes. They’re perfect for soaking up the sauce. A nice green salad also works well.
How to Store
When stored properly, Cajun sausage pasta can last up to 5 days.
To Store: Let the pasta cool completely to prevent sogginess. Then, transfer it to an air-tight container and refrigerate it for 4 to 5 days.
To Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this pasta because the sauce will separate when thawed. The pasta will also get mushy. However, if you must freeze it, do so in a freezer-safe, air-tight container. It’ll keep for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: For best results, reheat the pasta on the stove over medium heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the leftovers. You can also reheat smaller portions in the microwave with a sprinkle of water to retain moisture.
More Pasta Dinners Your Family Will Love
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Taco Pasta
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Cajun Sausage Pasta
6
servings10
minutes30
minutes680
This Cajun sausage pasta is bold, hearty, and delicious! The combination of spicy, creamy, and savory flavors is just to die for.
Ingredients
1 pound andouille sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
12 ounces penne pasta
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
- Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the pasta is al dente, about 12-15 minutes.
- Uncover and stir in the cream cheese and Parmesan until melted and the sauce is creamy. Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Serve hot garnished with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!
