Easy enough for a weeknight and packed with flavor, this Cajun Sausage Pasta is a dinner everyone loves. Filled with andouille sausage, lots of veggies, and a creamy, spicy sauce, this is comfort food at its best.
We are huge fans of Cajun flavors! For some other favorites, try these Spicy Cajun Chicken Sandwiches or this Easy Fish Taco Recipe with Cajun Seasoning.
Give me pasta and I’m happy. Give me pasta with a little bit of spice, and I’m even happier.
I love anything with a Cajun twist. I love the seasoning, I love the vegetables, and I love the spice.
And I love that this Cajun Sausage Pasta is super easy to make, and family friendly, as well. Yes, it has a little bit of heat, but not too much to make it so the kids won’t like it.
This is a great way to change up your pasta dinner!
Ingredients
- Pasta: A short cut pasta will work best here – I like to use penne.
- Oil: You can use any oil you want – I used olive oil.
- Andouille Sausage: The andouille sausage gives this dish tons of flavor, as well as a little bit of spice. You can swap in a chicken sausage or another smoked sausage, if desired.
- Vegetables: You’ll need two bell peppers – I like to use red and green, as well as mushrooms. You can switch up the colors of the peppers.
- Seasonings: You’ll need Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. I use my homemade seasoning mix, but you can use a store bought mix, as well.
- Evaporated Milk: This is one of my tricks that gives you a nice, creamy sauce without the calories of heavy cream.
- Broth: I add in a bit of broth to loosen up the sauce. I think the chicken broth flavor works well here, but feel free to swap in vegetable broth.
- Cream Cheese: I use low-fat cream cheese to cut back on the calories just a little bit.
How to Make Cajun Sausage Pasta
STEP 1: Start by cooking your pasta in salted water. Once it is al dente, drain it and reserve the pasta.
STEP 2: While the pasta cooks, heat the oil and then add the sliced sausage. Let the sausage cook until it is browned on both sides, then transfer it to a bowl.
STEP 3: To the same skillet, add the vegetables and cook them until they are soft. Then add in the Cajun seasoning and garlic powder. Season with salt.
STEP 4: Add in the evaporated milk and chicken broth, then once it is bubbling, add in the cream cheese. I like to cut it into squares so that it melts faster.
STEP 5: Cook the mixture until the cream cheese has melted completely, then let the sauce cook for a few minutes to thicken up slightly.
STEP 6: Add the cooked pasta and the cooked sausage to the skillet. Mix everything together until the pasta is coated.
Tips and Tricks
- You want to make sure you are using a large skillet so that everything will fit. You could also use a dutch oven.
- I think that 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning is perfect, but if you want it a little less spicy, cut that amount down. Or feel free to add more if you want it spicier!
- The Cajun seasoning you use will determine how spicy it is, as well.
- If your sauce is too thick, add in some extra chicken broth to loosen it.
- This is best eaten right after it’s made, but if you do have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator. When reheating. you may need to add some extra broth or milk to loosen it up, as the pasta will absorb the sauce.
More Pasta Recipes
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Baked Mac and Cheese
Shrimp Fra Diavolo
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Cajun Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 13 oz andouille smoked sausage sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
- 8 oz fresh mushrooms sliced
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz low fat cream cheese softened
- Grated parmesan cheese and sliced green onions for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt generously. Add the penne and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve.12 oz penne pasta
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the sausage and cook until both sides are browned, about 3-5 minutes. Remove to a bowl, leaving any grease in the pan.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 13 oz andouille smoked sausage
- To the hot pan, add both bell peppers and the mushrooms. Cook until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes. Season with the cajun seasoning and garlic pepper, and season to taste with salt.1 medium red bell pepper, 1 medium green bell pepper, 8 oz fresh mushrooms, 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Add the evaporated milk and chicken broth to the skillet. Heat until bubbling. Add the cream cheese and continue to cook, stirring, until the cream cheese is melted and fully incorporated. Cook until the sauce is thickened slightly, another minute or two.1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 8 oz low fat cream cheese
- Add the pasta and the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir until everything is combined.
- Serve topped with grated parmesan cheese and sliced green onions.Grated parmesan cheese and sliced green onions
Liz says
Looks so good – thank you.
Becki says
I haven’t tried snapchat yet but maybe I will give it a try! This looks delicious. I love cajun sausage pasta but I am happy that this is a lighter version because I don’t make it very often. Will definitely try this!