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Cajun Sausage Pasta

Cajun Sausage Pasta
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This Cajun Sausage Pasta is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring spicy Cajun-seasoned andouille sausage, tender pasta, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, offering a comforting, hearty dish with bold spice and rich, creamy textures that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Sausage and Protein

  • 8 oz andouille sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces

Pasta

  • 8 oz penne or rotini pasta

Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Seasoning and Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the sliced andouille sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and caramelized. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  4. Build the sauce: Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the cooked vegetables and stir well to coat. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously to blend the flavors. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  5. Combine everything: Return the browned sausage to the skillet, then add the cooked pasta. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
  6. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top and serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use authentic andouille sausage for the best smoky and spicy flavor.
  • Reserve some pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
  • Adjust Cajun seasoning to control the spice level according to your preference.
  • Sauté vegetables until tender but not mushy to preserve texture.
  • Finish with fresh parsley to add brightness and herbal freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun, sausage pasta, spicy pasta, quick dinner, one-pan meal, creamy pasta, andouille sausage, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://withnora.com/cajun-sausage-pasta/