One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta – Easy Dinner
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This easy One pot Cajun sausage pasta is the perfect dinner when you want something hearty and full of flavor but have zero energy on a busy weeknight. It’s smoky, creamy, and packed with bold Cajun flavor in every single bite. The best part is that everything (the pasta, the sausage, the sauce) cooks together in one pan, so you get great flavor with little clean up.
I started making this on busy school nights when I needed something fast that the whole family would actually eat. I love that the pasta cooks right in the broth and cream, so it soaks up all that flavor as it goes.
This one has become a regular in our dinner rotation, and once you make it, you’ll see why. If you love easy pasta dinners like this one, my Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is another family favorite that comes together just as quickly on a weeknight.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ridiculously Delicious – Smoky andouille sausage, creamy cheddar sauce, and a bold Cajun kick make this pasta seriously hard to stop eating.
Simple and Easy – Everything cooks in one pot, which means less dishes and less stress.
Festive and Fun – This is a great dish for casual dinner parties, game day spreads, and Sunday supper.
One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta Ingredients
- Andouille sausage – This is the star of the show. Andouille is a smoked pork sausage with a bold, slightly spicy flavor. Slice it into coins so it gets nice and browned in the pan.
- Cajun seasoning – Start with 1 teaspoon and taste as you go. Some blends are saltier or spicier than others, so adjust to your liking.
- Heavy cream – This is what makes the sauce rich and creamy. Do not swap it for milk or half and half, or the sauce will be too thin.
- Cheddar cheese – Please shred your own here! Pre-shredded cheese has a coating on it that keeps it from melting smoothly.
- Petite diced tomatoes – This recipe calls for half the can if you want less tomato flavor, or use the whole can if you love tomatoes. Either way, be sure to drain them first or it will be too watery.
- Bowtie pasta – Also called farfalle. It holds up really well in this dish. You could also use other small pasta.
Substitutions & Variations
- You can use smoked kielbasa or any smoked sausage in place of andouille if that’s what you have on hand.
- Penne, rotini, or rigatoni all work great if you don’t have bowtie pasta.
- Add in diced bell peppers or onion when you cook the sausage for extra flavor and color.
- For a little extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce at the end.
How to Make One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta
Step by Step Instructions Overview. Full details in recipe card.
Step 1 Heat a small amount of oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced andouille sausage and cook until you get a nice char on both sides. That browned crust adds so much flavor to the whole dish.
Step 2 Add the minced garlic to the skillet and stir for about 30 seconds. Then pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and drained diced tomatoes. Stir in the Cajun seasoning.
Step 3 Add the bowtie pasta right into the skillet. Stir everything together and bring it up to a simmer over medium-high heat.
Step 4 Place a lid on the skillet and let it simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the pasta is al dente (cooked through but still has a tiny bit of bite to it).
Step 5 Turn off the heat and add the freshly shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
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Step 6 Taste and adjust. Add more Cajun seasoning, salt, or pepper as needed. Serve hot right from the pan!
Time Saving Tips
- Shred your cheese ahead of time and keep it in the fridge so you’re ready to go.
- Slice the sausage into coins before you start anything else so the prep flows quickly.
- Stir the pasta once or twice while it simmers to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- If the sauce looks too thick after adding the cheese, splash in a little extra chicken broth and stir to loosen it up.
- If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes before adding the cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For even more easy weeknight dinners that come together fast, check out all the easy dinner ideas on the site – there are so many good ones to try.
How to Serve One Pot Cajun Sausage Past
Serve it with a big piece of crusty garlic bread to soak up all that creamy sauce. My Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread is proof that the right side dish can take dinner from great to unforgettable.
Add a simple green salad on the side to balance out the richness.
A side of roasted veggies is always a great call – my Simple Sheet Pan Vegetables go perfectly alongside this pasta.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the pasta to cool completely before transferring to a container. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The sauce will thicken up a bit as it sits in the fridge – that’s totally normal!
To Reheat: Add the pasta to a skillet with a small splash of chicken broth or water over medium-low heat. Stir gently until heated through and the sauce loosens back up. You can also reheat in the microwave in 60-second intervals, stirring in between.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this less spicy? Yes! Start with just half a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and taste as you go. You can also use a mild smoked sausage instead of andouille to bring the heat down.
Can I use a different type of pasta? Absolutely. Penne, rotini, and rigatoni all work well. Just make sure you’re using a similar size pasta so the cook time stays about the same.
Do I need to drain the pasta? Nope! That’s the beauty of this one pot method. The pasta cooks right in the liquid, so there’s nothing to drain.
Can I add vegetables to this dish? Yes! Diced bell peppers, onions, or even fresh spinach stirred in at the end are all great options. I love that this dish is easy to customize. My Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta uses a similar approach with bold flavor and added veggies for inspiration.
What if my sauce is too thick or too thin? Too thick – add a splash of chicken broth and stir. Too thin – simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes before adding the cheese.
Can I freeze this? Creamy pasta dishes don’t freeze super well because the sauce can separate when thawed. I recommend making it fresh or just storing leftovers in the fridge for a few days.
If you love hearty pasta dinners like this one, you’ll also want to try Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, Skillet Spaghetti, Ground Beef Pasta, and Taco Pasta with Ground Beef.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Skillet Spaghetti Ground Beef Pasta Taco Pasta with Ground Beef
Cajun Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 13 ounces andouille sausage sliced into coins
- 1 tbsp. minced garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 14 ounces petite diced tomatoes drained (use half the can for less tomatoes)
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta
- 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 1-2 tsp. cajun seasoning to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a deep skillet, add a small amount of oil and cook the sausage until it reaches your desired char.
- Add chicken broth, heavy cream, tomatoes, and cajun seasoning.
- Add the pasta, and heat over medium-high until it comes to a simmer.
- Put a lid on the pot, and simmer 12-14 minutes until pasta is al dente.
- Turn off the heat and add the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and combined.
- Add additional cajun seasoning, if desired, and salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
- Start with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and add more at the end to taste, since some brands run saltier or spicier than others.
- If the sauce looks too thick after adding the cheese, stir in a small splash of chicken broth to loosen it right up.
- Use half the can of diced tomatoes for a milder tomato flavor, or the whole can if you love tomatoes in your pasta.
Nutrition
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