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- 12 oz penne pasta - 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced - 1 medium onion, diced - 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced - 3 cloves garlic, minced In this recipe, I use penne pasta for its great texture. It holds sauce well and cooks quickly. The smoked sausage adds a rich flavor. You can choose any type you like. Diced onion and bell pepper bring sweetness and crunch. Garlic gives a nice aroma that makes you hungry. - 4 cups chicken broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained Chicken broth forms the base of the sauce. It adds depth and flavor to the dish. Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and creamy. Diced tomatoes add acidity and sweetness, balancing the flavors. - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Cajun seasoning gives this dish its bold and spicy flavor. Olive oil helps to sauté the sausage and veggies. Salt and pepper enhance the flavors, bringing everything together. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness when served. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Sautéing the sausage Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 pound of sliced smoked sausage. Cook until it’s browned, about 5 minutes. This adds great flavor to the dish. 2. Cooking vegetables Add 1 medium diced onion and 1 diced bell pepper to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they soften. Then, stir in 3 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for 1 more minute until you smell that lovely garlic aroma. 3. Adding liquids and seasonings Pour in 1 can of undrained diced tomatoes and 4 cups of chicken broth. Add 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. Stir everything well to mix. 1. Boiling and simmering pasta Bring the mixture to a boil. Next, add 12 ounces of penne pasta. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. 2. Stirring and monitoring Cook for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking. Check if the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed. 1. Adding cream and corn Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of frozen corn. Mix until everything is well combined and heated through. 2. Seasoning and garnishing Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley. - Selecting the right sausage: I love using smoked sausage for this dish. It adds great flavor. You can also choose spicy sausage for more heat if you like. - Adjusting spice levels: Use Cajun seasoning to give your pasta a kick. Start with one tablespoon, then taste. Add more if you want it spicier. - Preventing pasta from sticking: Stir the pasta every few minutes while it cooks. This helps keep it from sticking together. - Using a Dutch oven vs. large pot: A Dutch oven heats evenly and helps the dish cook well. If you don’t have one, a large pot works too. Just make sure it's deep enough. - Best practices for cream incorporation: Add the cream at the end. This keeps it rich and creamy. Stir it in slowly for the best texture. - Ideal sides to pair: Serve this pasta with a simple salad or some crusty bread. Both add freshness and balance to the meal. - Recommended wine or beverage: A chilled white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc, goes well with this dish. If you prefer something non-alcoholic, try sparkling water with lemon. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and high-quality sausage will elevate the flavor of your dish significantly. Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or use a mild sausage. Let it Rest: Allowing the pasta to sit for a few minutes after cooking will help thicken the sauce and improve the texture. Garnish for Freshness: A sprinkle of fresh parsley not only adds color but also a fresh flavor that complements the dish beautifully. {{image_2}} You can use many types of pasta for this dish. Penne works great, but you can try rotini or even spaghetti. Each type changes the texture a bit, making it fun to experiment. If you want a vegetarian version, swap the smoked sausage for plant-based sausage. You can also use chickpeas for protein. This keeps the dish hearty without meat. Adding more vegetables boosts flavor and nutrition. Spinach wilts nicely into the sauce. You can also throw in sliced mushrooms or zucchini for extra taste. Want more spice? Try adding cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. This amps up the Cajun flavor and makes the dish even more exciting. For a quick version, use an Instant Pot. Cook the sausage and veggies on sauté mode. Then, add the rest of the ingredients. Seal and cook on high for just 4 minutes. You can also bake this dish in the oven. After sautéing the sausage and veggies, transfer everything to a baking dish. Cover and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes. It’s a different method but still delicious! To keep your One-Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta fresh, use airtight containers. Glass or plastic containers with tight lids work best. Let the pasta cool at room temperature before sealing. This prevents moisture buildup. Aim to store it within two hours of cooking. Refrigerate leftovers for up to three days. You can reheat your pasta in a few ways. The best method is on the stove. Use a pot over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to keep it moist. Stir often to prevent sticking. You can also use a microwave. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. This helps keep the pasta's texture and flavor intact. If you want to freeze this dish, let it cool completely first. Portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Label each bag with the date. You can freeze it for up to three months. To thaw, move it to the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. Add a bit of liquid to restore creaminess. Can I make this dish gluten-free? Yes, you can use gluten-free penne pasta. Look for brands made from rice or corn. They work well in this recipe. Just remember to check the cooking time, as it may differ from regular pasta. How long does it take to cook? From start to finish, this dish takes about 30 minutes. You will spend 10 minutes prepping and 20 minutes cooking. It’s a quick meal for busy nights. What can I substitute for Cajun seasoning? If you don't have Cajun seasoning, try a mix of paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. You can also use Italian seasoning for a milder flavor. Just adjust to your taste. What are the calorie counts for this recipe? This recipe serves about 4-6 people and has roughly 500 calories per serving. The calories may change based on the sausage and cream used. Check the labels for exact numbers. How can I make it healthier? To make this dish healthier, use turkey sausage instead of smoked sausage. You can also add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini. This adds nutrients and fiber without many calories. Can I prepare this meal ahead of time? You can prep some parts ahead. Chop the veggies and slice the sausage the night before. Store them in the fridge. Just cook the pasta fresh for the best taste. How do I prevent the pasta from overcooking? To prevent overcooking, stir the pasta often while it simmers. Set a timer for 12 minutes and check for doneness. The pasta should be firm but not hard when you bite it. This blog post covered making One-Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta. We explored crucial ingredients like penne, smoked sausage, and seasonal veggies. I shared easy steps to prepare and cook this dish, plus tips for perfecting it. Remember, small swaps can enhance flavor, and leftovers are easy to store and reheat. This dish is flexible and fun to make. I hope you feel inspired to create your own version! Enjoy the cooking journey!

One-Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta

A flavorful and easy one-pot pasta dish with smoked sausage and Cajun spices.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper diced (red or green)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the sliced smoked sausage and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the diced onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juice), chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then stir in the penne pasta. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover.
  • Cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  • Stir in the heavy cream and frozen corn, mixing until well combined and heated through.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove from heat, and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.
  • Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less Cajun seasoning.
Keyword Cajun, one pot, pasta, sausage