Cajun Sausage Pasta
Cajun Sausage Pasta is a quick and easy dish that combines spicy andouille sausage with tender penne pasta in a creamy, flavorful sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers bold Cajun seasoning balanced with fresh vegetables and a luscious parmesan cream sauce, making it a perfect family-friendly comfort meal with a spicy twist.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Contains Dairy
Protein
- 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced
Pasta
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Dairy & Fats
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain, reserving some pasta water, and set aside.
- Sauté the Sausage and Veggies: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced andouille sausage and cook for about 5 minutes until browned and slightly crispy. Remove the sausage from the skillet. Add diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened and fragrant.
- Build the Sauce: Stir the Cajun seasoning into the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the sausage to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Toss thoroughly to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Final Touches: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra Cajun seasoning to taste. Serve hot with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs as desired.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the sausage; browning it just right adds great texture and flavor.
- Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to the pasta better.
- Adjust spice levels gradually by starting with less Cajun seasoning and increasing to taste.
- Sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or green onions on top for added freshness.
- Cook pasta al dente to ensure firmness when combined with creamy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Cajun Sausage Pasta, spicy pasta, andouille sausage recipe, creamy Cajun pasta, quick pasta dinner, weeknight meal, Cajun seasoning