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Easy Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

Creamy Cajun sausage pasta with penne in a glossy vibrant sauce.
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This one-pan wonder transforms smoked sausage, pantry spices, and cream into a restaurant-worthy, flavor-packed meal in just 30 minutes. It's the ultimate comfort food that's simple, adaptable, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb smoked sausage (like Andouille or Kielbasa), sliced into rounds
  • 1 lb short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust for heat preference)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil or butter in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
  2. In the same pan, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika, toasting for 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juices, and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up browned bits from the pan bottom.
  4. Add the uncooked pasta directly to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  5. Turn off the heat. Stir the browned sausage back into the pan. Add the shredded Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.

Notes

For a smoother sauce, grate your own Parmesan instead of using pre-shredded. The pasta will continue to soften in the hot sauce, so aim for al dente. Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.stacksipsnack.com/easy-creamy-cajun-sausage-pasta/