Description
This 20-Minute One-Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a fast, creamy, smoky easy dinner made with tender pasta, browned sausage, Cajun seasoning, garlic, parmesan, and a rich one-pot cream sauce. It is perfect for quick weeknight meals, simple dinner ideas, comfort food cravings, family food ideas, and anyone who wants an easy recipe with big flavor and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into coins
12 ounces rotini pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add sliced smoked sausage and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned around the edges.
3. Stir in diced onion and red bell pepper, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
4. Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, then add the uncooked rotini pasta.
6. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot to lift the browned flavor into the sauce.
7. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
8. Once the pasta is tender, stir in cream cheese until smooth.
9. Add parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is creamy and glossy.
10. Rest for 2 minutes, then garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use andouille sausage for more heat or mild smoked sausage for a family-friendly version.
Stir the pasta often while it simmers so it cooks evenly and does not stick to the bottom.
Add a splash of broth, milk, or cream when reheating leftovers to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 615
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1180mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: 20-minute one-pot creamy Cajun sausage pasta, creamy Cajun sausage pasta, one-pot pasta, easy dinner, quick weeknight meals, dinner ideas, comfort food, smoked sausage pasta