Description
This creamy Cajun sausage pasta is a flavorful, comforting dish featuring tender pasta tossed in a rich, spicy cream sauce with browned andouille sausage, sautéed bell peppers, and garlic, finished with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that’s bursting with bold Cajun flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta
- 8 ounces pasta of choice (penne or fettuccine)
sausage
- 12 ounces andouille sausage, sliced thinly
sauce and seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to heat preference)
vegetables and aromatics
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
toppings
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping)
- optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by boiling a pot of salted water. Add your pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté the Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced andouille sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and slightly crispy, allowing the sausage to release its flavorful oils into the pan.
- Add the Vegetables: Add the diced bell peppers and freshly minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the peppers soften and the garlic becomes fragrant, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
- Create the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the sausage and vegetables. Stir well and allow the cream to come to a gentle bubble, thickening slightly over 3-5 minutes while the spices infuse the sauce.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat every noodle in the creamy Cajun sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Finish with Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top. Stir until the cheese melts and creates a luscious, creamy texture throughout the pasta.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh and vibrant touch before serving warm.
Notes
- You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream to reduce the richness and calories slightly.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your heat preference or to make the dish milder or spicier.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much during finishing.
- Andouille sausage can be substituted with another smoked sausage if unavailable.
- This dish is best served immediately for optimal creaminess and flavor.
