If you love creamy, spicy comfort food, this Cajun Sausage Pasta will hit the spot. It’s bold, flavorful, and comes together fast, the kind of meal that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day but takes less than 30 minutes. The smoky sausage, tender pasta, and creamy Cajun sauce make every bite so satisfying.
Recipe Details
Servings: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: ~640 per serving
Why You’ll Love This Cajun Sausage Pasta
- It’s full of flavor without a lot of effort the Cajun spices and smoky sausage do most of the work.
- You only need one pan, which means minimal cleanup.
- It’s the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and comforting.
- Great for quick weeknight dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
- 150g (about 5 oz) pasta (penne or rigatoni work great)
- 200g smoked sausage (like andouille or kielbasa), sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the sausage. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables. In the same skillet, add onions and red bell pepper. Sauté for about 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the spices. Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Stir to coat the veggies and release that amazing aroma.
- Make it creamy. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it thicken slightly.
- Add cheese and sausage. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, then return the sausage to the pan.
- Toss in the pasta. Add the cooked pasta and mix until everything is coated in the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Finish and serve. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Tips for the Best Cajun Sausage Pasta
- Want extra heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use spicy sausage.
- For a lighter version, swap the heavy cream for Greek yogurt or coconut milk.
- Leftovers? This pasta reheats perfectly with a splash of milk or broth.
Cajun Sausage Pasta
Course: DinnerDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutes20
minutes640
kcalIngredients
150g (about 5 oz) pasta (penne or rigatoni work great)
200g smoked sausage (like andouille or kielbasa), sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ cup chicken broth
¾ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish
Directions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the sausage. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables. In the same skillet, add onions and red bell pepper. Sauté for about 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the spices. Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Stir to coat the veggies and release that amazing aroma.
- Make it creamy. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it thicken slightly.
- Add cheese and sausage. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, then return the sausage to the pan.
- Toss in the pasta. Add the cooked pasta and mix until everything is coated in the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Finish and serve. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
