Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe

I recently tried this Cajun sausage penne pasta and let me tell you, its a bit messy to make but the spicy sausage, bright peppers, and creamy tomato sauce totally turned my dinner into a flavor explosion that I could never forget.

I love making this Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta cuz its hearty and packed with flavor. I’ve used andouille sausage with penne pasta, red and yellow bell peppers, onions, garlic, heavy cream, chicken broth and tomatoes.

The Cajun seasoning with a bit of olive oil creates a balanced dish rich in protein and vitamins.

Ingredients

• Andouille sausage: Rich in protein and robust spicy flavor making dish hearty.
• Penne pasta: Carbohydrate-packed and provides satisfying texture for every bite.
• Heavy cream: Offers smoothness and creaminess balancing spicy and savory notes.
• Diced tomatoes: Add acidity and freshness along with vitamins and natural tanginess.
• Cajun seasoning: Infuses dish with bold fiery flavor enhancing overall taste.
• Olive oil: Provides healthy fats while adding subtle richness during cooking.
• Red and yellow bell peppers: Offer crunch and sweetness while supplying essential vitamins.
• Garlic: Gives pungency and aroma contributing savory depth to the dish.
• Chicken broth: Enhances depth and moisture melding flavors perfectly.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
• 8 oz penne pasta
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

How to Make this

1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the penne pasta until its al dente then drain and set aside

2. Heat the olive oil in a big pan over medium high heat and add the sausage slices. Cook them until they are browned and cooked through then remove them from the pan

3. In the same pan add the chopped onion, diced red and yellow bell peppers, and minced garlic and saute them until the onion softens up (about 3-4 minutes)

4. Stir in the Cajun seasoning along with salt and pepper to taste

5. Pour in the diced tomatoes, heavy cream and chicken broth then stir everything together well, letting it simmer for about 5 minutes to mix the flavors

6. Return the sausage back into the pan and let everything simmer for another 5 minutes so the flavors blend together

7. Add the cooked pasta to the pan and mix it thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce

8. If using, sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce

9. Give it a taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed

10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot Enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. A large pot to boil the pasta in salted water
2. A colander for draining the pasta
3. A big pan or skillet to cook sausage and mix the sauce
4. A chef’s knife for chopping the onion, peppers and garlic
5. A cutting board for prepping the veggies
6. A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring and mixing
7. Measuring cups for heavy cream, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes
8. Measuring spoons for Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper

FAQ

• Q: Can I use a different type of sausage?
  A: Yes you can replace andouille sausage with your favorite smoked sausage if you cant get andouille. It may change the flavor a bit but its still delicious.
• Q: Can I use another pasta instead of penne?
  A: Sure you can use fusilli or rigatoni if you want even though the sauce might cling a bit different.
• Q: How spicy is this recipe?
  A: It has a nice moderate kick from the Cajun seasoning but if you dont like a little heat feel free to start with a bit less.
• Q: How long should I cook the pasta?
  A: The penne usually takes around 11-13 minutes. Just make sure you check the package directions and then taste it for perfect al dente texture.
• Q: How do I store leftovers?
  A: Put the leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. If the sauce thickens too much when cold, just add a splash of milk when reheating.

Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you cant find andouille sausage, try using smoked sausage or spicy Italian sausage instead its a great swap and still gives you that smoky flavor.
• If heavy cream isnt available, you can mix whole milk with 1-2 tablespoons of melted butter to get a similar creaminess. It wont be exactly the same but it works good enough.
• If you dont have chicken broth, vegetable broth is a good alternative that wont change the flavour too much.
• For Cajun seasoning, you could make your own blend using paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme and a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like it spicy.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you salt your pasta water real good because it really brings out the pasta flavor, and it makes the dish taste so much better.
2. When you cook the sausage, brown it nice and crispy so you get all that yummy flavor into the oil. Dont toss that oil out, use it for cookin your onions and peppers too because its pure flavor gold.
3. When you add the cream and broth, keep it at a gentle simmer. If it boils too hard the cream might separate so just let it bubble on low and trust the process.
4. Always give the sauce a taste before mixing in the pasta. You can adjust spices or add a little more Cajun seasoning if you want it spicier, sometimes a little extra goes a long way.