Description
A hearty one-pot Cajun pasta with smoked sausage, bell peppers, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. Easy to make, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced
- 8 oz penne pasta (or any short pasta)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large deep skillet or pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same pot, add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and stir in uncooked pasta. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked and liquid has reduced.
- Make it Creamy: Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Sausage: Stir in Parmesan cheese and the cooked sausage. Heat until cheese melts and everything is well coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
You can substitute smoked sausage with chicken or shrimp. Adjust Cajun seasoning for spiciness. For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-pot, Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, sausage pasta, one-pot dinner, creamy pasta