Description
Dive into the irresistible world of Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta, your new go-to for a quick, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine work well)
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 bell peppers (any color), seeded and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to your spice preference)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain off any excess grease from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the chopped onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for another minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir well. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Add the drained, cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy Cajun sauce. Toss everything together gently until the pasta is well-coated.
- Serve the Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- This dish is great for leftovers and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta, pasta recipe, quick dinner recipe