Description
This One-Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. Featuring spicy Cajun sausage, creamy tomato sauce, and tender rotini pasta all cooked together in one pan, it’s a quick and easy recipe that packs a punch of bold flavors with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 14 ounces smoked sausage or andouille, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Pantry Staples and Spices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage or andouille and cook until nicely browned, about 3-5 minutes, to develop flavor and render some fat.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add Spices: Stir in Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper, coating the sausage and vegetables evenly to build the bold Cajun flavor base.
- Add Liquids and Tomatoes: Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, and crushed tomatoes. Stir well to combine all ingredients into a creamy sauce.
- Add Pasta: Add the rotini pasta directly to the skillet, pressing it gently into the liquid to ensure it is mostly submerged.
- Simmer the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, 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 fully incorporated, creating a rich creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness, and serve the pasta hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use andouille for a spicier, authentic Cajun flavor; smoked sausage will be milder.
- If the sauce thickens too much while simmering, add a splash of chicken broth or water.
- Fresh parsley can be substituted with chopped green onions or basil for variation.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
