One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

Deliciously creamy Cajun pasta made in a single pot! My favourite half about this recipe is the sauce: it’s wealthy and tacky with a little bit spicy kick. Rigatoni pasta shapes entice that sauce superbly, and smoky Andouille sausage makes it really feel hearty and filling.

For extra Cajun taste, strive our Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta or our Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta.

If you want one thing quick however nonetheless filled with taste, this one-pot Cajun sausage pasta delivers. This recipe retains issues easy by cooking the pasta proper within the sauce, so it soaks up each little bit of taste when you loosen up. We’re speaking full-on consolation meals vibes with out spending all night time within the kitchen. It’s a weeknight win!

Ingredient Notes

• Olive Oil: Any impartial oil will work, like avocado, canola, or vegetable.
• Onion: A medium yellow or white onion works.
• Crimson Bell Pepper: Crimson, orange, and yellow are sweeter, whereas inexperienced are sometimes cheaper. You possibly can substitute purple with any of the above.
• Andouille Sausage: Should you can’t discover andouille, kielbasa or one other smoked sausage may even work.
• Garlic: Recent garlic is most well-liked, or you need to use the jarred form. You possibly can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder should you don’t have the others.
• Cajun Seasoning: This mix will be bought at most grocery shops within the spice aisle, however we want to make our own.
• Rigatoni or Penne: You desire a pasta that may maintain that scrumptious, creamy sauce! Any tube-shaped pasta will work.
• Diced Tomatoes: You need to use fire-roasted tomatoes as an alternative for a little bit extra taste.
• Heavy Cream: Additionally labeled Heavy Whipping Cream. If you could lighten issues up, you need to use half-and-half, however it’ll be a thinner sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: For the perfect taste, keep away from pre-grated cheese, as they’ve anti-caking components that may have a grainy texture.

Andouille Sausage

You possibly can normally discover andouille sausage within the meat part of most US grocery shops, typically close to different smoked or precooked sausages. It’s usually bought in a hyperlink that’s lengthy and curved.

Should you can’t discover andouille sausage, kielbasa, smoked sausage, and even cooked chorizo are nice choices. Need it delicate? Use candy Italian sausage and add a pinch of smoked paprika.

Adjusting the Warmth Stage

Extra Warmth: Should you love a spicy kick, there are many methods to amp up the warmth on this dish! Enhance the quantity of cayenne pepper in your Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of purple pepper flakes. You possibly can even drizzle in a little bit of your favourite sizzling sauce for an additional punch.

Much less Warmth: For individuals who want a milder taste, merely omit the cayenne pepper within the do-it-yourself Cajun seasoning or select a pre-made seasoning mix labeled as delicate.

Variations

Prepared to change issues up a little bit extra and make it your personal?

Make it lighter: Use half-and-half as an alternative of heavy cream. The sauce might be thinner, however nonetheless tasty!

Go veggie-heavy: Toss in a handful of spinach on the finish or sauté mushrooms together with your onions and peppers.

Gluten-free possibility: Use a gluten-free penne or rotini that holds up effectively to simmering.

Ideas for Success

Don’t Skip the Slurry: It’d really feel like an additional step, however that is what makes the sauce additional silky and coats the pasta completely.

Use Low-Sodium Broth: Between the sausage, cheese, and Cajun seasoning, the salt provides up quick. Beginning with low-sodium broth provides you higher management.

Need it thicker? After stirring within the cream and cheese, simmer uncovered for a pair minutes extra. It’ll thicken up much more because it cools.

Serving Ideas

This one-pot pasta is an entire meal by itself, however should you’re in search of a little bit one thing additional to pair with this dish, we’ve bought you coated. We love our Easy Skillet Cornbread, particularly with something Cajun! Should you’re not a fan of cornbread, strive our Rapid-Rise Skillet Rolls. This pasta is hearty sufficient to face by itself, however if you’d like sides, strive: