Description
Creamy Cajun pasta with smoked sausage, Parmesan, and a bold, rich cream sauce. Just 5 ingredients and done in 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 14 oz smoked sausage, cut into small slices (jalapeño cheddar sausage recommended)
- 12 oz pasta (Rotini works great)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Drain the pasta and set it aside.
In a medium skillet, add the sliced sausage over medium heat.
Sauté for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and heated through. This adds flavor and crisp edges.
Reduce the heat to low.
Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning.
Stir well to combine, and simmer for 4–5 minutes, allowing the cream to heat and the flavors to meld. The sauce will begin to thicken slightly.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.
Mix until the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce.
Add the cooked pasta into the skillet. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy Cajun sauce and sausage is well distributed.
Serve hot, straight from the pan, optionally garnished with a little extra Parmesan or chopped parsley.
Notes
This dish is best served fresh but holds up well for leftovers.
The spice level can vary greatly by brand of Cajun seasoning—start with less if unsure.
Avoid overcooking the pasta when reheating—it’s best when just warmed through.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Cajun-inspired
Keywords: creamy cajun sausage pasta, 5 ingredient pasta, Cajun pasta, spicy sausage pasta