Description
Spicy Cajun sausage pasta delight combines bold Louisiana flavors with creamy sauce and hearty ingredients. Home cooks discover a quick, satisfying meal that delivers robust southern comfort with minimal preparation effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (12 oz/340 g) package andouille sausage, sliced on the bias
- 12–16 oz (340–454 g) short cut pasta (like penne), gluten-free if needed
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium bell peppers, any color, diced
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided
- 1 pinch of red pepper flakes, to taste
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Generously salt a large pot of water and bring to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, following package instructions. Reserve some starchy cooking liquid before draining, then set pasta aside.
- Sausage Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Slice andouille sausage into even rounds, dust with Cajun spice blend. Crisp sausage until edges turn golden and caramelized, approximately 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Vegetable Medley: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Sauté diced onions, bell peppers, remaining Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes until vegetables soften and become translucent. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Sauce Development: Pour chicken broth, heavy cream, and tomato paste into the vegetable mixture. Bring to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, 5-7 minutes.
- Final Assembly: Incorporate Parmesan cheese into the simmering sauce. Combine cooked pasta and seared sausage, thoroughly coating with creamy mixture. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serving Presentation: Transfer to serving plates, sprinkle with additional Parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve immediately while bubbling hot, showcasing the bold Cajun-inspired flavors.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every noodle.
- Sausage Searing Secrets: Ensure andouille sausage develops a deep golden crust by avoiding overcrowding in the skillet and using medium-high heat for maximum flavor development.
- Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes and Cajun seasoning to personal heat tolerance, starting with a conservative amount and gradually increasing for desired kick.
- Sauce Consistency Trick: Slowly incorporate reserved pasta water to thin or adjust sauce thickness, creating a luxurious, restaurant-quality texture that clings beautifully to pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg