Cajun Pastarn

Name: Cajun Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 leek, (chopped); 2 cloves garlic minced; 2 spicy sausages sliced,; 4 cups penne pasta, (uncooked); 28 ounces diced tomatoes; 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 3½ cups chicken broth; 4 ounces cream cheese; 3 green onions, (sliced)

Loaded with spicy Cajun flavors, tender pasta, and delicious sausage, this Cajun pasta is sure to hit the spot.

Jump to Recipe

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Total Time40

Servings

Table of Contents

Cajun Pasta Ingredients
Creamy Cajun Pasta Substitutions And Additions
How To Make Cajun Pasta
How To Serve This Cajun Pasta Recipe
Why Cajun Pasta Is The Best
Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe Storage Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

If you’re ready for a mouthwatering, spicy experience, look no further than this Cajun pasta. It’s a flavor explosion packed with smoky spices, spicy sausage, and a creamy sauce to coat the tender pasta that is sure to make the perfect addition to your weeknight menu.

Cajun Pasta Ingredients

Cajun Pasta raw ingredients that are labeled

This hearty pasta is the perfect blend of all those mouth-watering flavors of Cajun cuisine.

Its subtle kick of spice adds depth, while its creamy tomato sauce is the perfect balance for the spicy heat.

To make this flavorful pasta dish, you’ll need:

1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 leek chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
2 spicy sausages sliced
4 cups of penne pasta (uncooked)
1 (28-ounce) can of diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon of Cajun spice mix
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of black pepper
3½ cups of chicken broth
4 ounces of cream cheese
3 green onions, sliced

PRO TIP:

Note that you are adding the pasta to the pan uncooked. It will cook while simmering with the rest of the ingredients.

Creamy Cajun Pasta Substitutions And Additions

SAUSAGE: You can use any type of sausage: Italian, chicken jalapeño, chorizo, and andouille sausage are all excellent choices.

LEEKS: If you don’t have a leek, use an onion instead in this one-pan pasta.

CAJUN SEASONING: You can find this seasoning in the spice aisle of your grocery store, or you can make your own Cajun spice blend with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin. You can also use Mexican or Creole seasoning instead.

PASTA: You can use any short pasta for this easy dinner recipe.

DICED TOMATOES: For a little extra spice in this one-pot Cajun pasta, you can also use diced tomatoes with green chilies. If you prefer a little less heat, try adding sundried tomatoes.

SPICY: If you want more heat, add red pepper flakes, chili powder, or cayenne pepper to the dish to increase the spice level.

CHICKEN: Add shredded boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of or in addition to the sausages. You could use rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken breast, or tender pan-fried chicken that you add to the pasta after it’s cooked.

SHRIMP: Turn this into Cajun shrimp pasta by using small, pre-cooked shrimp.

VEGETARIAN: To make this dish vegetarian, you can omit the sausage and use vegetable broth. Add extra vegetables like mushrooms, red, green, or yellow bell peppers, red onion, or zucchini.

How To Make Cajun Pasta

This mouth-watering recipe is easy to make, and the best part is it all comes together in a single pan.

The first step is to sauté the veggies and sausages before adding the rest of the ingredients. Don’t forget that you are adding the pasta to the pan uncooked.

You are ready to serve this delicious dish once it simmers away and the pasta is tender.

STEP ONE: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the olive oil.

Once hot, add the leek, garlic, and sausages. Cook for five minutes.

If using raw sausage, cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the sausages are thoroughly cooked.

STEP TWO: Add the pasta, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and broth. Stir and bring to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the liquid is almost gone and the pasta noodles are al dente.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Al dente is the ideal consistency for pasta. The pasta will be tender and will still have a slightly firm texture when you bite into it.

pasta, diced tomato, cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and broth stirred and bring to a boil

STEP THREE: Add the cream cheese and mix gently to combine all the ingredients.

If you want to thicken your sauce a bit, you can add a little tomato paste.

If you want to thin your sauce, you can add a splash of heavy cream and stir.

STEP FOUR: Remove from heat and sprinkle with green onions, then serve hot.

PRO TIP:

A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top is always a favorite with any pasta.

How To Serve This Cajun Pasta Recipe

This creamy Cajun pasta is begging for some sides to dress it up. Serve it with a delicious, crunchy tomato cucumber salad. A creamy classic coleslaw would also be a light, simple side dish that will balance the heat nicely.

For something extra hearty, try making a batch of crunchy garlic bread that can be dipped into the creamy Cajun sauce.

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Why Cajun Pasta Is The Best

This creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe is a great option for pasta night! This flavorful dish, packed with Cajun flavors, is super customizable. You can adjust the spice factor and add different proteins and vegetables to make it your own.

Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe Storage Tips

Whether you have leftovers or want to prepare this dish in advance, here’s what you need to know:

MAKE AHEAD: If you plan to make the Cajun pasta ahead of time, you can follow this great recipe until the final step of adding the cooked pasta. Once the sauce is prepared, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, cook the pasta separately and reheat the sauce before combining them for a fresh, delicious meal.

IN THE FRIDGE: Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Be sure it is completely cooled before placing it in the fridge.

IN THE FREEZER: This easy pasta recipe can be frozen for up to four months in an airtight container. Allow the dish to cool completely before placing it in the freezer.

REHEATING: When reheating Cajun pasta, you have several options depending on your preference and convenience.

For stovetop reheating, place the desired amount of pasta in a saucepan over medium heat. Add a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed, and stir occasionally until heated throughout.

For microwave reheating, transfer the pasta to a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a microwave-safe lid, and heat on high power, stirring every minute until thoroughly warmed. Adjust the reheating time based on the portion size and microwave wattage to avoid overheating.

For even more flavorful pasta dishes, our one-pot chicken fajita pasta and taco pasta are two of our favorites.

This one-pot Cajun pasta is an excellent choice for busy weeknight dinners, especially if you are a spicy food lover! It’s easy to make and packed full of flavor. You will love the spicy Cajun sauce that coats the perfectly cooked tender pasta and sausage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store this creamy Cajun sausage pasta recipe?

You can store this delicious recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

What can I serve with the pot of Cajun pasta?

This dish is excellent on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or some crusty bread.

What is the taste and texture of the pot Cajun pasta?

The pasta is tender with a little bite; the sauce is creamy with a little heat from the Cajun seasoning. The sausage adds a nice earthy flavor to the dish.

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Cajun Pasta

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Loaded with spicy Cajun flavors, tender pasta, and delicious sausage, this Cajun pasta is sure to hit the spot.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 leek, chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 spicy sausages sliced,
4 cups penne pasta, uncooked
28 ounces diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
3½ cups chicken broth
4 ounces cream cheese
3 green onions, sliced

Instructions

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the leek, garlic, and sausages. Cook for five minutes. If using raw sausage, cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the sausages are thoroughly cooked.
Add the pasta, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and broth. Stir and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the liquid is almost gone and the pasta is al dente.
Add the cream cheese and mix gently to combine all the ingredients.
Remove from heat and sprinkle with green onions.
Serve hot.

Notes

If you want more heat, add some red pepper flakes to the dish.
You can add some shredded chicken instead of the sausages to the pasta if you want.
If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can use Creole or Mexican seasoning or just a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant