Cajun Sausage Creamy Pasta (Printable)
Spicy, creamy pasta with smoky sausage and peppers in a bold Cajun cream sauce, ready in 40 minutes.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni
→ Meats
02 - 10 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Spices
07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (more to taste)
09 - 2/3 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# How-to Steps:
01 - Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and brown for 2–3 minutes per side.
03 - Add the peppers and onion to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and slightly browned. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, stirring to coat evenly. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the pan.
05 - Lower heat to medium, stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. If needed, use reserved pasta water for a creamier sauce. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
- You can adjust the heat level exactly to your liking
02 -
- Reserving pasta water is not optional, it is the secret to restaurant quality sauce consistency
- The sauce thickens quickly once it hits the heat, so have everything ready before adding the cream
03 -
- Cut your sausage and vegetables while the pasta water boils to work efficiently
- Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre grated, it melts so much better