Description
A delightful recipe for Smoky Sausage Cajun Alfredo, combining smoky sausage with creamy Alfredo for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne (gluten-free option available)
- 12 oz chicken Cajun andouille sausage (can substitute with spicy Italian or plant-based sausage)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (canola or grapeseed)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cloves grated garlic (freshly grated is ideal)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan (freshly grated is ideal)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage slices and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they’re golden brown. Once done, set them aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Remember to reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- In the same skillet, add butter along with a splash of chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits for extra flavor. Sauté the garlic and tomato paste until fragrant, which should take about 1 minute.
- Stir in the Cajun seasoning and the remaining chicken broth. Whisk in the heavy cream while bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer, whisking, for about 5 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the Parmesan until the sauce is thick and glossy. Then, add the remaining butter until it melts completely and integrates into the sauce.
- Toss the drained penne in the sauce, using your reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency to your liking.
- Combine the cooked sausage with the pasta and sauce mixture. Garnish with fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Smoky Sausage Cajun Alfredo, Cajun pasta, creamy pasta, comfort food