Ava's Cajun Sausage Pasta
Ava's Cajun Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, small, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar or mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, or up to 2 tablespoons, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- as needed red pepper flakes, for heat (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and sear until browned on all sides. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Stir in the Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Add the cooked pasta and seared sausage back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and sausage are fully coated.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Continue to simmer the pasta in the sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency and everything is heated through.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and, if desired, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat. Serve hot.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Ava's Cajun Sausage Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, small, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar or mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, or up to 2 tablespoons, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- as needed red pepper flakes, for heat (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and sear until browned on all sides. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Stir in the Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Add the cooked pasta and seared sausage back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and sausage are fully coated.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Continue to simmer the pasta in the sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency and everything is heated through.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and, if desired, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat. Serve hot.
⏱️ 1 min