Name: One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta: 20 Minute Bliss
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1 pound smoked sausage; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion; 2 garlic cloves; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 8 ounces penne pasta; 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning; 1/2 cup parmesan cheese; 2 green onions

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Imagine it is one of those crazy busy weeknights where you just want a meal that feels like a total gourmet treat but you really do not want to deal with a mountain of dishes. This recipe is the absolute answer to all your cravings. I first whipped this up when I was desperate for something comforting but fast and it has been a huge family favorite ever since. We are using savory beef sausage here because it gives such a deep and smoky flavor that just works perfectly with the heat from the Cajun spices. The best part is that by cooking everything in just one single pot the pasta sucks up every bit of flavor from the broth and the spices. You end up with this rich and velvety sauce that sticks to every single bite. You are going to love how the creaminess balances out that kick of spice to create a real restaurant quality meal right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients for One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

1 pound beef sausage sliced into rounds
12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion diced
1 red bell pepper sliced
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
3 cups beef broth or chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste

How to Cook One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

First you want to get your olive oil nice and hot in a big pot or a deep skillet over medium high heat. Toss in those beef sausage slices and let them cook until they get a beautiful brown crust on both sides. This browning part is so important because it builds up a massive flavor base for the whole dish. Once the sausage looks perfect just scoop it out of the pot and let it hang out on a plate for a minute.

In that same pot go ahead and throw in your diced onion and the bell pepper. Sauté those veggies for about three or four minutes until they start getting soft. Now stir in your minced garlic and let it cook for just one more minute until it smells amazing. Be careful though because you do not want to burn the garlic or it will turn bitter on you.

Next you are going to add your dry pasta and that bold Cajun seasoning along with the beef broth. Give everything a good stir and make sure you are scraping up all those yummy browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the whole thing to a boil then turn the heat down so it can simmer. Put a lid on the pot and let it do its thing for about 10 to 12 minutes. You want the pasta to be tender and most of that liquid to be absorbed.

Finishing the One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

Once your pasta is perfectly cooked pour in the heavy cream and slide that browned beef sausage back into the pot. Keep stirring it over low heat for another two or three minutes. You will see the sauce start to thicken up and coat the pasta beautifully. Finally stir in your parmesan cheese until it is completely melted into the sauce. If you feel like the sauce is getting a bit too thick just add a tiny splash of extra broth to get it exactly how you like it. Throw some fresh parsley on top before you serve it up.

Expert Tips for One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

To make sure your pasta comes out with the perfect texture you should start checking it a couple of minutes before the timer actually goes off. One pot meals can sometimes cook a bit faster depending on how thick your pot is. If you see that the liquid is disappearing way too fast but the pasta is still a little crunchy just add another half cup of broth to keep things moving.

Another big tip is about the cream. You really want to use heavy cream instead of regular milk. Milk is much more likely to curdle when it hits high heat or acidic spices. Heavy cream stays stable and gives you that luxurious mouthfeel that makes this dish so special. Also if you think your Cajun seasoning might be too salty try using a low sodium broth so you can stay in control of the seasoning yourself.

One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Timing and Prep

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 to 6 people

This whole recipe is built for speed. You can easily chop up your veggies while the beef sausage is browning to save some extra time. Most of the cooking time is actually hands off while the pasta simmers away which makes this a great choice if you are trying to multitask with the kids or finishing up work tasks.

Common Questions About One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

Can I use a different type of pasta

You definitely can. Any short pasta shape like bowtie or rigatoni or even fusilli works great here. I would suggest staying away from long noodles like spaghetti for this one pot method though. They usually end up clumping together and they do not always cook evenly in the thick sauce.

Is this dish very spicy

The heat level really depends on which brand of Cajun seasoning you grab at the store. Some are super hot and others are more on the mild side. If you are a bit nervous about the heat just start with one tablespoon and taste the sauce before you decide to add more.

How should I store leftovers

If you have anything left over just put it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When you go to reheat it you might want to add a little splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce back up because the pasta tends to soak up the moisture while it sits.

Nutritional Information for One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

Calories 540 kcal
Total Fat 32g
Saturated Fat 15g
Cholesterol 85mg
Sodium 1100mg
Total Carbohydrates 42g
Dietary Fiber 3g
Sugars 4g
Protein 22g