Description
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a quick and flavorful Southern-inspired dish featuring smoky sausage, bold Cajun spices, and a rich, creamy sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes and made in a single pot, it’s perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
14 oz (400g) smoked sausage or andouille, sliced into rounds
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
8 oz (225g) uncooked penne or short pasta
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
- Add sliced sausage and cook for 3–4 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in Cajun seasoning, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and cream. Mix well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and cooked sausage. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning before serving.
Notes
Use cream cheese instead of heavy cream for a richer sauce.
Add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrition.
Adjust Cajun seasoning based on spice preference.
Swap sausage with chicken or shrimp for variation.
Leftovers can be reheated with a splash of cream or broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
