Cajun Pasta

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

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If you’re ready for a mouthwatering, spicy experience, look no further than this Cajun pasta. It’s a flavor explosion in your mouth 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

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

Its subtle kick of spice adds depth and wakes up your taste buds, while its creamy tomato sauce creates a smooth and inviting background for the generous helping of sausage and tender pasta. 

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 (I use already cooked sausages, but you can also use raw sausages)
• 4 cups of penne pasta (uncooked) 
• 1 (28-ounce) can of diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning 
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• 3½ cups of chicken broth 
• 4 ounces of cream cheese 
• 3 green onions, sliced 

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, you can use an onion instead in this one-pot 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 a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin. You can also use Mexican or Creole seasoning instead.

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

DICED TOMATOES: You can also use diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel) for a little extra spice in this one-pot Cajun pasta.

SPICY: If you want more heat, add some red pepper flakes to the dish to increase the spice level.

CHICKEN: You can add shredded chicken instead of sausages to the pasta if you want.

VEGETARIAN: If you want to make this dish vegetarian, you can omit the sausage and use vegetable broth. You can also add extra vegetables like mushrooms, red or green bell peppers, or zucchini.

How To Make This Cajun Pasta Recipe

This Cajun pasta is easy to make, especially since 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.

Once it all simmers away and the pasta is tender, you are ready to serve this delicious dish.

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 5 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. 

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

STEP FOUR: Remove from heat and sprinkle with green onions.

STEP FIVE: Serve hot.

How To Serve

This creamy Cajun pasta is just 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, crunchy 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.

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

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Storage

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

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning to make the Cajun pasta ahead of time, you can follow the recipe up 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 you’re ready to serve, cook the pasta separately and reheat the sauce before combining them for a fresh, delicious meal.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 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 4 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.

If using a microwave, transfer the pasta to a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, and heat on high power, stirring every minute until thoroughly warmed. Remember to adjust the reheating time based on the portion size and microwave wattage to avoid overheating.

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

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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 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6

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Ingredients

  

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• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 leek, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 spicy sausages sliced, I use already cooked sausages, but you can also use raw sausages
• 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 5 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

Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 1158mg | Potassium: 612mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1315IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 3mg

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