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One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta: Your Quick Weeknight Feature

A close-up of creamy Cajun sausage pasta featuring penne noodles coated in a rich, orange sauce with slices of browned sausage and fresh parsley.

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Make this bold, flavorful One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta for an easy weeknight dinner. It uses smoked or andouille sausage and comes together in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound smoked or andouille sausage, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust for spice preference)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces dry pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
  2. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, oregano, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the dry pasta, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes (with their juice) to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. Cook until the pasta is nearly tender.
  6. Stir in the reserved sausage, cream cheese cubes, and heavy cream. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated.
  8. Taste the sauce and add more Cajun seasoning if you want more spice. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. This is a true 30 minute meal winner.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you add the other seasonings.
  • If you want to include shrimp, add 1/2 pound of peeled, deveined shrimp during the last 3 minutes of simmering, stirring until they turn pink.
  • If the sauce seems too thick after adding the cheese, stir in a splash of extra broth or milk until you reach your desired consistency for this creamy pasta dish.

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