Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta
This quick and delicious cajun sausage pasta has a bold and spicy flavor profile. The noodles and smoky andouille sausage are coated in a rich and creamy Cajun-inspired sauce.
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Servings: 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
- 12-16 ounces short cut pasta (like penne) gluten-free if needed
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon cajun seasoning divided
- 1 (12 oz) package smoked andouille sausage sliced on the bias
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 bell peppers any color, diced (I used red and green pepper)
- Pinch red pepper flakes to taste
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Fresh parsley for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it to al dente according to the package directions. When it's done, remove a cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta but do not rinse it.12-16 ounces short cut pasta (like penne)
- While it's cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet, like a 10-inch cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and 2 teaspoons of cajun seasoning and cook to crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a clean plate or bowl.2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 (12 oz) package smoked andouille sausage, 1 Tablespoon cajun seasoning
- Turn the stove down to medium heat and add the onion and pepper, the remaining teaspoon of cajun seasoning, and a little bit of red pepper flakes to the same skillet and cook to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.1 medium yellow onion, 2 bell peppers, Pinch red pepper flakes, 2 cloves garlic
- Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and tomato paste until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-7 minutes to thicken slightly.1 1/4 cups chicken broth, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- Stir in the parmesan cheese then add the cooked pasta and crispy sausage and toss to coat in the sauce. Add up to 1 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water too thin the sauce slightly as needed. Serve right away with more parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley.1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Notes
Note 1. Pasta. Gluten-free pasta typically comes in 12-ounce boxes rather than 16-ounces (1lb). Use either 12 or 16 ounces, depending on the brand you buy!
Note 2. Homemade Cajun Spice Mix. Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Makes just shy of 1/4 cup.
Note 3. Sausage. You can use plain smoked sausage, chicken sausage, spanish chorizo, or even turkey sausage for this recipe.
Spice Level. This is a pretty spicy dish with the combination of andouille sausage, cajun spices, and red pepper flakes. The creamy sauce balances out some of the heat, but you can make it less spicy if you're sensitive to spicy food. Use regular sausage, like kielbasa, less cajun seasoning, or omit the red pepper flakes to reach your desired spice level.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 64.1g | Protein: 16.7g | Fat: 17.5g | Cholesterol: 31.5mg | Sodium: 558.9mg | Fiber: 4.1g | Sugar: 5.9g | Vitamin A: 129.1IU | Vitamin C: 54.2mg
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