Description
This One-Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a comforting and flavorful weeknight dinner perfect for busy evenings. Featuring smoky sausage, vibrant vegetables, and a rich, creamy Cajun-spiced sauce simmered with pasta, it delivers a deliciously hearty meal all cooked in a single skillet for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 14 ounces smoked sausage or andouille, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage or andouille and cook until browned and fragrant to release its smoky flavors.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent.
- Add Spices: Stir in Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper thoroughly to coat the vegetables and sausage in the aromatic spices.
- Combine Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and crushed tomatoes. Stir well to combine all ingredients and create the creamy Cajun sauce base.
- Add Pasta: Add the rotini pasta to the skillet, gently pressing it into the liquid to ensure it is submerged for even cooking.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Finish with Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked through, stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy and cohesive.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a bright herbal touch and serve the pasta hot for a cozy, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use smoked sausage or authentic andouille for the best Cajun flavor.
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
