Description
Fiery Cajun pasta blends Louisiana’s bold spices with hearty sausage in a creamy, zesty sauce that dances across your palate. Packed with robust flavors and quick preparation, this dish promises a restaurant-quality meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) sausage (Italian sausage or Cajun sausage)
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil at high heat. Cook penne pasta until tender yet firm, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving one cup of starchy cooking liquid for later use.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Extract sausage from its casing and crumble into hot pan. Sizzle meat for 6-7 minutes, breaking into smaller fragments while browning thoroughly.
- Introduce sliced bell peppers and diced onions into the sausage-filled skillet. Sauté vegetables for 4-5 minutes until they soften and develop slight caramelization. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring constantly for 60 seconds to release aromatic qualities.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and dried oregano across the skillet. Pour heavy cream and chicken broth, whisking ingredients until uniformly integrated. Simmer sauce for 3-4 minutes, allowing liquid to reduce and thicken slightly.
- Transfer cooked pasta into the spicy sauce, thoroughly coating each noodle. Adjust sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water if needed. Fold grated Parmesan cheese into mixture, enabling it to melt and create a creamy texture.
- Evaluate seasoning, adding salt and black pepper to enhance flavor profile. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Opt for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to make the dish more diet-friendly and nutritious.
- Swap spicy sausage with plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian version that maintains the bold Cajun flavor profile.
- Control the heat level by adjusting the amount of Cajun seasoning or using a mild version for those with sensitive palates.
- Enhance the dish’s protein content by adding grilled chicken or shrimp as an extra protein option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg