Description
A hearty one-pot pasta featuring smoky sausage, tender penne, and a creamy Parmesan Cajun sauce. This comforting dinner is packed with bold flavor while keeping cleanup quick and easy.
Ingredients
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
12 oz penne pasta
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 medium onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the sliced sausage, diced onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Stir in the uncooked penne pasta, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Substitute andouille sausage for extra Cajun flavor.
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
Add mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, corn, or broccoli for extra vegetables.
Increase the heat with crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce if desired.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat gently with a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 564 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg
