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 bit of spicy kick. Rigatoni pasta shapes lure 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.

Why My Recipe

Daring Cajun spices in an excellent simple, one-pot pasta dinner.
Pasta cooks straight within the sauce to absorb all the flavour and hold issues simple.
Creamy, tacky, spicy, and quick. What’s to not love?

A closeup view of a pot of creamy cajun sausage pasta with andouille sausage.

Whenever you want one thing quick however nonetheless full of 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 whilst you chill out. We’re speaking full-on consolation meals vibes with out spending all night time within the kitchen. It’s a weeknight win!

Ingredient Notes

An overhead view of the ingredients needed to make one pot cajun sausage pasta.

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 can even work.
Garlic: Contemporary garlic is most popular, or you should utilize the jarred variety. You possibly can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder in the event you don’t have the others.
Cajun Seasoning: This mix could be bought at most grocery shops within the spice aisle, however we favor to make our own.
Rigatoni or Penne: You desire a pasta that can maintain that scrumptious, creamy sauce! Any tube-shaped pasta will work.
Diced Tomatoes: You should use fire-roasted tomatoes as an alternative for a bit of extra taste.
Heavy Cream: Additionally labeled Heavy Whipping Cream. If it’s good to lighten issues up, you should utilize half-and-half, but it surely’ll be a thinner sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: For the very best taste, keep away from pre-grated cheese, as they’ve anti-caking components that may have a grainy texture.

Andouille Sausage

You possibly can often discover andouille sausage within the meat part of most US grocery shops, usually close to different smoked or precooked sausages. It’s sometimes offered 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 gentle? 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! Improve 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 scorching sauce for an additional punch.

Much less Warmth: For many who favor a milder taste, merely omit the cayenne pepper within the selfmade Cajun seasoning or select a pre-made seasoning mix labeled as gentle.

Variations

Prepared to change issues up a bit of extra and make it your individual?

Make it lighter: Use half-and-half as an alternative of heavy cream. The sauce shall 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 nicely to simmering.

A closeup overhead view of a bowl of cajun sausage pasta with rigatoni, andouille sausage, and red bell pepper.

Ideas for Success

Don’t Skip the Slurry: It would really feel like an additional step, however that is what makes the sauce further 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 offers 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 Solutions

This one-pot pasta is an entire meal by itself, however in the event you’re on the lookout for a bit of one thing further to pair with this dish, we’ve acquired 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 in order for you sides, strive: