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Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

All the Cajun creaminess in a single pot—sausage, bold taste, dinner prepped in half an hour.
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Barbara Chef
Updated on Mon, 26 May 2025 21:02:20 GMT
CREAMY CAJUN SAUSAGE PASTA Pin
CREAMY CAJUN SAUSAGE PASTA | cookwithcarla.com

If you're short on time but want something delicious for dinner, creamy pasta that's loaded with flavor always hits the spot. This rich and spicy Cajun sausage pasta checks all the boxes with smoky sausage, perfectly cooked noodles, and an insanely rich sauce. It's got a nice kick, super silky texture, and feels a little special, even if you're just making it on a hectic weeknight.

This dish is always a hit in my house because you get bold, restaurant-level flavor without any fuss. Smoky sausage mixed with Cajun spice makes the sauce pop. No matter if I'm meal prepping for the week or just feeding the family after work, it always gets rave reviews.

Tasty Ingredient Choices

  • Pasta: Rigatoni or penne are awesome here, since those shapes catch all that creamy Cajun goodness in every forkful.
  • Smoked Sausage: Go for Andouille if you want it spicy, or choose kielbasa for a milder vibe. Totally up to your taste buds.
  • Bell Peppers & Onion: These sweet and crisp veggies help cool down the heat and keep things tasting bright.
  • Chicken Broth: This lightens up the sauce and makes sure every spoonful is full of flavor.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Fresh-grated Parm melts right in, lending that salty, umami punch.
  • Cajun Seasoning: This spice blend (think paprika, garlic, and friends) brings the big, bold taste. Play around with the amount for more or less heat.
  • Heavy Cream: The secret to keeping the sauce crazy velvety and rich.

How to Boil the Pasta

Cook your pasta till it's just tender—follow the package directions. Save about one cup of that pasta water before you drain it. This stuff works wonders for thickening up your sauce.

Getting the Sausage Ready

Drizzle a little olive oil into a big skillet over medium heat. Toss in your sliced sausage and cook it till it's deep golden and a bit crisp, roughly 5-7 minutes. Take out the sausage and set it aside for later.

Softening the Veggies

Using that same skillet, throw in the chopped onions and bell peppers. Let them cook and soften—about five minutes. Stir in the garlic and let it sizzle for another minute so it smells amazing.

CREAMY CAJUN SAUSAGE PASTA dish Pin
CREAMY CAJUN SAUSAGE PASTA dish | cookwithcarla.com

Watching that Parmesan blend right into the sauce is the best. I like to pile on even more cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley at the end for a little fresh brightness—my family eats it right up!

How to Serve It Up

  • Pair with a crisp green salad or crunchy garlic bread for a full meal.
  • Add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley to brighten things up.
  • Go wild with extra parmesan if you want that super rich, cheesy vibe.

Making It Your Own

Craving seafood?
Mix in shrimp with the sausage for a surf-n-turf feel.
More veggie action:
Toss in some mushrooms or sundried tomatoes—they add a ton of flavor.
Going lighter?
Sub in half-and-half for cream and pick whole wheat pasta.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Chill It:
Pop leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge, good for up to 3 days.
Warm on the Stove:
Reheat super gently with a splash of broth or cream so the sauce stays nice and smooth.
Using a Microwave:
Heat in short bursts, giving it a stir each time—keeps the sauce from splitting.

This meal is a total weeknight savior—fast, packed with flavor, and super satisfying. Go as spicy or mild as you like, and play with the mix-ins. It nails that perfect combo of cozy comfort and bold taste, so every mouthful is awesome!

Simple CREAMY CAJUN SAUSAGE PASTA Pin
Simple CREAMY CAJUN SAUSAGE PASTA | cookwithcarla.com

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Is another pasta okay to use?
Totally! Short pastas like fusilli, rigatoni, or penne do the job.
→ Does it turn out really spicy?
It’s not super hot, just a gentle heat from the Cajun mix. You can always add or cut back as you like.
→ Can I skip the dairy stuff?
Definitely. Try coconut cream or any non-dairy option for the creamy part.
→ What's the best way to keep leftovers?
Pop them in a sealed container and chill in your fridge. Should hold up for three days.
→ Can I toss in extra veggies?
Go for it! Cherry tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms are all tasty here.

Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

Quick creamy pasta with a mild Cajun twist and sausage. Done in a flash.

Preparation Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Cuisine Type: Cajun-American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary Preferences: ~

What You'll Need

→ Pasta things

01 12 oz rigatoni or penne
02 4 cups water (to boil)
03 Dash of salt (for boiling water)

→ Sausage and veggies

04 1 tbsp olive oil
05 12 oz smoked sausage (try kielbasa or Andouille), sliced
06 1 bell pepper (green or red), chopped
07 1 small onion, diced
08 1 tbsp flour (all-purpose)
09 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
10 2 cups fresh spinach (you can skip this)

→ Sauce stuff

11 1 cup cheddar or Parmesan, shredded
12 1 ½ cups chicken stock
13 1 cup heavy cream
14 Salt if needed
15 ½ tsp ground black pepper

→ Extras if you want

16 ½ cup mushrooms, sliced (for a richer bite)
17 ½ lb shrimp (for adding protein)

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Spoon the pasta onto plates and jazz it up with a sprinkle of more cheese, fresh parsley leaves, or maybe some pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy.

Step 02

Toss the sausage back into the pan and give everything a stir. If you want spinach, you can throw it in now and wait a minute for it to wilt.

Step 03

Drop the heat down, pour in the cream, and then add cheese. Stir around so it goes all smooth. Add some pepper and salt until it tastes just right.

Step 04

Go ahead and put your cooked noodles in the skillet. Stir them around, let that flavor soak in for 2 or 3 minutes.

Step 05

Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bits from the bottom, bring it to a light bubble.

Step 06

Still using the same pan, cook up your onion and peppers for 3 or 4 minutes so they’re nice and soft. Sprinkle on the Cajun seasoning and toss in flour while mixing everything together.

Step 07

Warm up olive oil in a pan over medium. Add sausage slices, brown them for about 3 or 4 minutes. Take them out and set aside.

Step 08

Fill a big pot with salted water, get it boiling. Cook your pasta till it’s just soft enough, drain, and set aside.

Additional Notes

  1. Change up how much Cajun seasoning you use if you want it milder or hotter.
  2. If you like smoky taste, swap regular bell pepper for the fire-roasted kind.
  3. To make things lighter, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
  4. You can keep this in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pot
  • Frying pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Knife for cutting things up

Allergy Information

Check every ingredient for potential allergens. Consult a healthcare professional for concerns.
  • Dairy (cheese and cream)
  • Gluten (pasta and flour)

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 550
  • Fats: ~
  • Carbohydrates: ~
  • Proteins: ~