Description
This one pot creamy Cajun sausage pasta is a quick and easy dinner recipe that combines flavorful andouille sausage with sautéed vegetables, tender gluten-free penne, and a rich, creamy sauce made with cream cheese and fire-roasted tomatoes. Perfectly spiced with no-salt Cajun seasoning to control heat and saltiness, this dish is customizable for your preferred spice and creaminess levels. Ideal for a hassle-free weeknight meal, it delivers comforting Cajun flavors all in one skillet.
Ingredients
Sausage
- 13 oz. andouille sausage links (about 4 links), sliced into medallions
Vegetables
- 6 oz. fresh baby bella mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
- ½ medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeds removed, and thinly sliced
- ½ medium yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeds removed, and thinly sliced
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz. gluten-free penne pasta
- ½ cup (120 g) canned, diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 3 ½ cups (830 ml) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons no-salt or low-salt Cajun seasoning mix
- 7 oz. cream cheese
- Salt to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook sausage: Add the sliced sausage medallions to a large skillet or braiser over medium heat. Sear them on both sides until they crisp up slightly, about 4 minutes in total. Remove the sausage from the skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the flavorful sausage oil in the pan.
- Cook veggies: Using the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms, red and yellow bell peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for approximately 3 minutes until the mushrooms start to brown and the vegetables soften.
- Add pasta and liquids: Stir in the gluten-free penne pasta, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning into the skillet. Mix everything gently until evenly combined. Cover the skillet with a lid to bring the broth to a boil.
- Simmer pasta: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and let the pasta simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes. Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking and check the pasta for doneness—aim for tender but still firm (al dente).
- Add cream cheese: Cut the cream cheese into chunks and add them to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and forms a thick, creamy sauce coating the pasta and vegetables.
- Combine and serve: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Season with salt to taste, stir everything thoroughly to mix all flavors, then top with chopped fresh Italian parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use a no-salt or low-sodium Cajun seasoning blend to avoid overly salty pasta; homemade Cajun seasoning is highly recommended.
- To adjust spice levels, substitute the cayenne-heavy andouille sausage with mild Italian or kielbasa smoked sausage, or reduce the Cajun seasoning amount.
- For creaminess adjustments, increase or decrease the cream cheese quantity to achieve your preferred sauce thickness.
- If using raw sausage instead of pre-cooked, ensure it is fully cooked by adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- The pasta cooking time depends on the brand and type used; check frequently to avoid overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
