Description
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a flavorful and hearty dish combining spicy andouille sausage, sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers, and tender gluten-free penne pasta all cooked together in a creamy, Cajun-spiced sauce. Perfectly balanced with a touch of cream cheese for richness, this easy-to-make meal comes together quickly in a single skillet, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sausage
- 13 oz. andouille sausage links (about 4 links), sliced into medallions
Vegetables
- 6 oz. fresh baby bella mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeds removed, thinly sliced
- 1/2 medium yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeds removed, thinly sliced
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
Pasta and Liquids
- 12 oz. gluten-free penne pasta
- 1/2 cup canned, diced re-roasted tomatoes
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
Seasonings and Dairy
- 2 tbsp 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 andouille sausage medallions to a large skillet or braiser over medium heat. Sear them on both sides until they crisp up slightly, about 4 minutes total. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the rendered sausage oil in the skillet for added flavor.
- Cook Vegetables: In the same skillet with the sausage oil, add the sliced mushrooms, red and yellow bell peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté the vegetables for about 3 minutes, or just until the mushrooms begin to brown and the peppers soften slightly.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Add the gluten-free penne pasta, diced re-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning mix to the skillet. Stir everything gently to combine evenly, then place a lid over the skillet and bring the broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer Pasta: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the pasta simmer uncovered for approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes to prevent sticking and to ensure the pasta cooks evenly until tender and al dente.
- Add Cream Cheese and Season: Stir in the cream cheese into the hot pasta mixture until fully melted and creamy. Season with salt to taste. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Serve: Remove from heat and optionally garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added heat and color. Serve warm.
Notes
- Using andouille sausage provides a smoky, spicy flavor that is key to the Cajun profile of this dish.
- Keep the sausage oil in the skillet after cooking to sauté the vegetables for deeper flavor.
- Simmer the pasta uncovered and stir regularly to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- The recipe uses gluten-free penne but can be adapted to regular pasta if preferred.
- The Cajun seasoning mix should be low or no-salt to control sodium levels; adjust seasoning as needed.
- Adding cream cheese at the end creates a rich and creamy sauce without needing heavy cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
