Description
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring smoked sausage, heavy cream, and Cajun spices. This one-skillet pasta dish balances rich, velvety texture with a bold, adjustable spicy kick, ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- Smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced into half-moons
- Pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- Heavy cream
- Cajun seasoning (e.g., Tony Chachere’s or Slap Ya Mama)
- Fresh garlic, minced
- Unsalted butter
- Yellow onion, diced small
- Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salted water for boiling pasta
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining.
- While water heats, slice the smoked sausage into half-moon slices.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add butter and diced onion; cook for 3 minutes until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes into the skillet. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine with spices and butter. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Do not boil vigorously.
- Return sausage to the skillet and add drained pasta. Toss together over low heat for 1-2 minutes. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
- Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Use high-quality smoked sausage for better flavor. Save pasta water to thin the sauce if needed. Remove pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess. Control stove heat to prevent burning Cajun spices. Adjust spice level by varying Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 1200
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Cajun pasta, creamy sausage pasta, spicy weeknight dinner, quick pasta recipe, one-skillet meal, Andouille sausage, 20 minute meals