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- 12 oz penne pasta - 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced - 1 bell pepper, diced - 1 medium onion, chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz), undrained - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning - 1 teaspoon paprika - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper - 1 cup heavy cream - Fresh parsley, chopped When I make One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta, I love how easy it is to gather the ingredients. Each item plays a role in the dish's bold flavor. The penne pasta serves as a perfect base. It holds on to the sauce well. Smoked sausage adds a deep, rich flavor. It brings a satisfying bite too. The bell pepper and onion add sweetness and crunch. I often choose colorful peppers for a vibrant dish. Garlic is key in this recipe. It gives a nice aroma and taste. Diced tomatoes bring acidity, which balances the richness of the cream. Low-sodium chicken broth keeps the dish savory without being too salty. Cajun seasoning is where the magic happens. It gives the pasta a warm, spicy kick. I like to adjust the cayenne pepper based on how spicy I want the dish. Finally, heavy cream adds creaminess and rounds out the flavors. Don't forget the fresh parsley to finish. It adds a pop of color and freshness. For the full recipe, check the details above. First, heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add your sliced sausage and cook until it turns brown. This process takes about 4-5 minutes. Once browned, remove the sausage and set it aside. This step builds a rich flavor base for the dish. Next, in the same pot, add the diced bell pepper and chopped onion. Sauté these until they soften, which should take around 3-4 minutes. This adds a nice sweetness to the meal. After the bell pepper and onion are soft, incorporate minced garlic. Cook this for one more minute. Garlic adds a wonderful aroma and depth to your dish. Now it's time to bring it all together. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook this for one more minute to help the spices bloom. Then, pour in the chicken broth. Make sure to scrape up any brown bits stuck to the pot; these add great flavor. Add the uncooked penne pasta and the undrained diced tomatoes. Bring this mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. When the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and the browned sausage. Mix well until everything is heated through. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Let your dish sit for a few minutes to thicken a bit. For the full recipe, you can refer to the beginning of this article. To make your One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta perfect, stir regularly. This helps keep the pasta from sticking to the pot. If you like heat, add cayenne pepper. You can adjust the spice level to your taste. Start with half a teaspoon and taste. You can always add more if you want more heat! A great dish looks as good as it tastes. Serve your pasta in bowls for a warm feel. For added color, garnish with fresh parsley. It brings a bright touch to the dish. If you want a little more flair, sprinkle some extra Cajun seasoning on top. This gives it a nice aroma that makes it even more tempting. Sometimes, pasta can stick together. If that happens, add a splash of water or broth and stir it gently. This will help loosen it up. If your vegetables are undercooked, cover the pot and let it sit for a few more minutes. The steam will help cook them through. Don’t forget to check the flavor and adjust as needed! For the full recipe, check out the detailed instructions that guide you through every step. {{image_2}} You can change the smoked sausage to turkey sausage for a lighter dish. Turkey sausage has less fat and works well in this recipe. You can also try chicken sausage. For pasta, penne is great, but feel free to use fusilli or even whole wheat pasta. Each type of pasta adds a unique twist to the meal. If you need a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta. Many brands offer pasta made from rice or lentils. For dairy-free cream, try coconut cream or cashew cream. These alternatives give a nice creaminess without the dairy. Want to make this dish more nutritious? Add extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or diced carrots. These vegetables blend well with the flavors. For a creamy touch, stir in some cheese. Cream cheese or Parmesan can enhance the dish's richness. You can even sprinkle some cheese on top before serving for extra flavor. For the Full Recipe, check the detailed steps and ingredients. Store your leftover One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta in an airtight container. This helps keep it fresh. Make sure to let it cool down before sealing. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want it to last longer, consider freezing it. To freeze this dish, place it in a freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top for expansion. It will stay good for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. This helps maintain texture and flavor. You can reheat this dish in a few ways. The microwave is quick and easy. Heat in short bursts, stirring often. For stovetop, add a splash of broth to keep it moist. Heat over low until warm. This way, you keep that bold flavor and creamy texture! This dish is quick to make. You will spend about 10 minutes prepping the ingredients. Cooking takes around 20 minutes. So, in total, you can have this meal ready in about 30 minutes. This makes it perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty fast. Yes, you can make this dish ahead. Prepare it and let it cool. Then, store it in an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove or in the microwave. The flavors will still be great! If you want to change the flavor, try using Italian seasoning or taco seasoning. You can mix your own spice blend with paprika, garlic powder, and oregano. This gives you a different taste while keeping it tasty. Explore what you love! The spice level can be adjusted easily. If you like it mild, cut down on the cayenne pepper. You can even leave it out. For more heat, add extra Cajun seasoning or a dash of hot sauce. Make it just right for you! In this post, I shared a simple recipe for One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and tips for the best results. You can swap ingredients or adjust spices to suit your taste. Remember to store leftovers properly to enjoy later. This dish is not only tasty but also easy to customize for your needs. Enjoy your cooking adventure and make this meal your own!

One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta

Savor the bold flavors of this One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This easy recipe combines smoked sausage, colorful bell peppers, and creamy sauce all cooked in one pot for minimal cleanup. Enjoy a delicious meal in just 30 minutes! Click to explore this simple recipe and bring a taste of Cajun cuisine to your kitchen today. Your family will love it!
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Ingredients
  

12 oz (340g) penne pasta

1 lb (450g) smoked sausage, sliced

1 bell pepper, diced (any color)

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

In a large pot or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside.

    In the same pot, add the diced bell pepper and onion. Sauté until softened, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

      Stir in the Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper, cooking for another minute to bloom the spices.

        Pour in the chicken broth and scraped up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the uncooked penne pasta and undrained diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil.

          Reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 12-15 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

            Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and the browned sausage. Mix well until heated through. Season with salt and pepper as needed.

              Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes to thicken slightly.

                - Presentation Tips: Serve in bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color. A sprinkle of extra Cajun seasoning on top can add an inviting aroma.

                  Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4-6