Cajun Sausage Pasta
A flavorful Cajun dish combining pasta, smoked sausage, and a rich, creamy sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Cajun Seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 12-ounce smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch coins
- 2 bell peppers, sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 1 red onion sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 14-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- to taste more grated parmesan for topping
- to taste sliced green onion for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Combine paprika, salt, garlic powder, oregano, dried thyme, pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to create homemade Cajun seasoning. Set aside.
- Bring salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta for about one minute less than the package directions indicate. Drain and set aside.
Cooking
- In a Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and olive oil together. Add sliced smoked sausage and one tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook until the sausage is browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside.
- In the same Dutch oven, add sliced bell peppers and red onion. Sauté until charred yet crisp, about 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat and add minced garlic and remaining Cajun seasoning. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add diced fire-roasted tomatoes and use the juices to deglaze the pan. Stir in heavy cream and simmer gently.
- Return the drained pasta and parmesan cheese to the pot. Stir to combine and heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in the browned sausage to the pasta, mix, and serve hot with parmesan cheese and sliced green onion.
Notes
Customize the heat by adjusting the amount of cayenne and red pepper flakes. Use high-quality sausage for the best flavor, and incorporate fresh ingredients when possible.