Make this rich, spicy Cajun sausage pasta in a single pot for a flavorful weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Author:Carla Davis
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:35 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Cajun
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound smoked or andouille sausage, sliced
1 pound pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
4 cups chicken broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the sliced sausage over medium-high heat until lightly crisped. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pot.
Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), and the uncooked pasta to the pot. Stir well.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and butter until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Stir to combine and heat through for 2 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper if you want more spice.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. This recipe offers a great alternative to relying on meal planning services.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use Andouille sausage.
If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce the Cajun seasoning to 1 tablespoon and omit the cayenne pepper.
This one-pot method saves time compared to using meal delivery companies.
If the sauce seems too thick after simmering, add a splash more broth or milk until you reach your desired consistency.