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To make a tasty creamy Cajun sausage pasta, gather these simple ingredients: - 8 oz penne pasta - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced - 1 small onion, diced - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 bell pepper (any color), diced - 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning - 1/2 teaspoon paprika - 1 cup heavy cream - 1/2 cup chicken broth - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley for garnish You need some basic tools to whip up this dish: - Large pot for boiling pasta - Large skillet for cooking sausage and veggies - Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring - Measuring cups and spoons for accuracy - Knife and cutting board for chopping Choosing fresh ingredients makes your dish even better. Here are some tips: - Pasta: Look for high-quality penne with no broken pieces. - Sausage: Pick smoked sausage with a good aroma. It should feel firm. - Veggies: Choose bell peppers with smooth skin. Onions should be dry and firm. - Garlic: Look for garlic bulbs that are plump and free of sprouts. - Cream: Buy heavy cream with a long expiration date for the best taste. - Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-grated. These simple choices will enhance the flavor of your creamy Cajun sausage pasta! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling salted water in a large pot. Add the penne pasta and cook it according to the package. Drain the pasta and set it aside. 2. Sauté the Sausage: Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the sliced smoked sausage. Cook it until it's browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. 3. Add Veggies: Now, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté these for another 5 minutes until they soften. 4. Season It Up: Sprinkle one teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and a half teaspoon of paprika over the mixture. Stir well and let the spices cook for about 1 minute. 5. Make It Creamy: Pour in one cup of heavy cream and a half cup of chicken broth. Stir everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. 6. Cheesy Goodness: Add one cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir until it melts and becomes creamy. Taste it and add salt and pepper as needed. 7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Finally, add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. 8. Serve & Garnish: Serve your creamy Cajun sausage pasta hot. Top it with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor. In this dish, sautéing brings out the flavors of the sausage and veggies. It cooks them quickly and adds color. Simmering helps meld all the flavors together in the sauce. It thickens the cream and lets the spices shine. Both techniques help create a rich and tasty dish. To save time, start cooking the pasta while you prepare the sausage and veggies. This way, everything finishes at the same time. Gather all your ingredients before you start. This makes cooking smooth and enjoyable. If you have everything ready, you will finish in about 30 minutes! To make your sauce creamy, use heavy cream. It adds rich flavor and smoothness. After adding the cream, let it simmer gently. This helps the sauce thicken nicely. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts. This step makes the sauce even creamier. If you want more flavor, add a pinch of Cajun seasoning at the end. One common mistake is cooking the sauce too quickly. High heat can cause the cream to curdle. Always use medium heat when simmering. Another mistake is not seasoning enough. Taste your sauce before serving. Add salt and pepper as needed. Lastly, don’t skip the pasta cooking water. Mixing a little in can help the sauce cling better. Cooking in batches can save time. Make a double or triple batch of the sauce. Store it in the fridge for later. You can cook fresh pasta when you're ready to eat. This way, you’ll always have a quick meal on hand. If you freeze the sauce, thaw it overnight before reheating. Always reheat gently to keep the cream smooth. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and high-quality sausage will enhance the flavor of your dish significantly. Adjust Spice Levels: Feel free to increase or decrease the Cajun seasoning based on your spice tolerance. Leftover Pasta: This dish reheats well. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Garnish for Freshness: Adding fresh parsley not only adds color but also a burst of freshness to the rich dish. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of this dish easily. Try different sausages like andouille or chorizo. Both add a nice kick. You can also swap the Cajun seasoning for Italian herbs. This change gives a new twist to the dish. If you want more heat, add crushed red pepper flakes. They boost the spice level quickly. To make this dish vegetarian, replace the sausage with plant-based sausage. It gives a similar texture. For a vegan option, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Also, choose a vegan cheese or skip it entirely. This way, you keep rich flavors without animal products. Want to pack in more veggies? Add spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms to the skillet. They add color and nutrients. For extra protein, toss in some cooked chicken or shrimp. Both blend well with the creamy sauce and enhance the meal. You can even add beans for a hearty touch. Enjoy experimenting! To keep your creamy Cajun sausage pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. Let it cool down first. Then, place the container in the fridge. It will stay good for about 3-4 days. If you want to save it longer, freezing is the best option. When you are ready to eat leftovers, use the stove for the best taste. Put the pasta in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to keep it creamy. Stir it often until it warms up. You can also use the microwave, but check every minute to avoid drying it out. To freeze creamy Cajun sausage pasta, first cool it completely. Then, portion it into freezer-safe bags. Remove as much air as you can before sealing. Label the bags with the date. It can last up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. You can use milk mixed with butter. This mix gives creaminess. Use about 3/4 cup of milk and 1/4 cup of melted butter. You can also try half-and-half for a lighter option. If you want a dairy-free choice, consider coconut cream. It adds a nice flavor and richness too. Yes, you can! Any pasta works well. You can use rotini, fettuccine, or even gluten-free pasta. Just remember to cook it according to package instructions. Each pasta shape holds sauce differently, so choose what you enjoy most. To add heat, increase the Cajun seasoning. You can also add red pepper flakes. Start with a pinch and taste as you go. For more heat, use hot sausage instead of smoked sausage. Fresh jalapeños or diced chili peppers can add a nice kick too. Salads work great! A simple green salad with vinaigrette balances the dish. Garlic bread is a classic choice too. You might also try roasted vegetables for a healthy option. Each side enhances the pasta's rich flavors while keeping the meal light. In this post, we explored how to make creamy Cajun sausage pasta. You learned about the key ingredients, tools, and techniques needed for great cooking. We shared tips for making a creamy sauce and avoiding common mistakes. You can also explore different flavors and adapt the dish to your taste. Finally, we covered how to store leftovers and answered your questions. Cooking can be fun and rewarding. Enjoy your pasta dish and let your taste buds guide you.

Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

A delicious and creamy pasta dish with smoked sausage and Cajun spices.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper diced
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 2 paprika
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 2 chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
  • for garnish Fresh parsley

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the sliced smoked sausage and sauté until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
  • Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning and paprika over the mixture. Stir well to combine and let the spices cook for about 1 minute.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly (about 3-5 minutes).
  • Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
  • Serve the creamy Cajun sausage pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.

Notes

Garnish with fresh parsley for added flavor.
Keyword Cajun, creamy, pasta, sausage