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Cajun Sausage Pasta - A Creamy, Spicy Weeknight Favorite

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni work well)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • 12–14 ounces smoked sausage or andouille, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1–1.5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra smokiness)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for depth)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or green onions, for garnish
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  • Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add sliced sausage and cook until edges are browned, about 4–5 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving any drippings in the pan.
  • Sauté the veggies: Add onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until softened and lightly caramelized, 6–8 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt.
  • Add garlic and spices: Stir in garlic, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant. If the pan looks dry, add a splash of broth to loosen any browned bits.
  • Build the sauce: Whisk in chicken broth, cream, tomato paste, and Dijon. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 3–4 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
  • Melt in the cheese: Return sausage to the pan. Stir in Parmesan until smooth. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want more heat.
  • Toss with pasta: Add drained pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Toss until everything is glossy and evenly coated.
  • Finish and serve: Sprinkle with parsley or green onions. Add a squeeze of lemon to brighten the flavors. Serve hot.