Description
Cajun Sausage Pasta is a spicy and creamy dish that combines smoked sausage, colorful bell peppers, and penne pasta, all enveloped in a rich sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and mix well. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a non-dairy milk alternative.
- Add a cup of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrition and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg