Description
A bold and comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring smoky sausage, creamy Cajun-spiced sauce, and tender penne pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
12 ounces (340 g) smoked beef sausage, sliced
12 ounces (340 g) penne pasta
1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup / 150 g)
1 red bell pepper, sliced (about 1 cup / 150 g)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons (14 g) Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon (5 g) smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt
1/2 teaspoon (2 g) black pepper
2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
1/2 cup (120 ml) crushed tomatoes
1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook 4–5 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, sauté onion and bell pepper for 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Stir in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a simmer.
Add penne pasta, stirring to submerge. Cover and cook 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Return sausage to the pot. Stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For a milder flavor, reduce Cajun seasoning to 1 tablespoon (7 g). Add extra broth or milk when reheating to maintain creaminess. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes