There’s something about the rich, smoky flavors of sausage combined with a velvety sauce that just hits the spot — that’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe with you. It’s comfort food with a bit of a spicy kick, all packed into one satisfying pot that saves you time and cleanup.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you how many times this Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe has saved me on nights when I wanted something hearty, flavorful, and fuss-free. The blend of spices and creamy sauce always feels like a warm hug after a busy day.
- One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup since everything cooks in one skillet — my busy self appreciates that!
- Bold Flavors: The Cajun seasoning and fire-roasted tomatoes pack just the right amount of spice and smokiness.
- Creamy Comfort: Cream cheese melts into a luscious sauce that coats every bite perfectly.
- Versatile & Customizable: You can tweak the heat level or swap out veggies to suit your mood or pantry.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe feels simple but every ingredient plays its part in building that signature creamy, spicy, and savory profile. A quick tip: look for good-quality andouille sausage to get authentic smoky flavor. Fresh veggies add brightness and texture, while the cream cheese keeps everything lusciously smooth.
- Andouille Sausage: Its smoky, spicy character is the star here — don’t skimp on quality.
- Baby Bella Mushrooms: They soak up flavors and give the dish an earthy depth.
- Red & Yellow Bell Peppers: Provide sweetness and color contrast, balancing the Cajun spices.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic unlocks aroma and enhances the whole dish’s savory notes.
- Gluten-Free Penne Pasta: Holds sauce well and is a safe bet if you’re avoiding gluten.
- Diced Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Adds smoky brightness and a subtle tang that complements the sausage.
- Chicken Broth: Builds the base to cook pasta and infuses flavor.
- Cajun Seasoning: Provides depth and that unmistakable Louisiana-style kick.
- Cream Cheese: Melts into a rich, creamy sauce that hugs every ingredient.
- Salt & Optional Garnishes: Salt balances the flavors; fresh parsley and red pepper flakes add freshness and heat.
Make It Your Way
One thing I love about this Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe is how easy it is to tailor. Over time, I’ve added my own tweaks — and I encourage you to do the same depending on what flavors you love or dietary needs you have.
- Variation: Once, I swapped out half the sausage for grilled chicken for a lighter version, and honestly, the sauce still stole the show.
- Adjust the Heat: If you prefer it milder, dial back the Cajun seasoning or skip the red pepper flakes — but if you love heat, feel free to add more!
- Veggie Boost: Try adding spinach or kale at the end for extra greens without changing the flavor much.
- Dairy-Free Version: You can swap cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative, but it might change the richness slightly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Searing the Sausage to Perfection
Start by slicing your andouille sausage into medallions and heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and let it sear undisturbed for about 2 minutes per side until the edges get crispy and golden. This step locks in flavor and renders that delicious fat you’ll use to cook the veggies. Be sure not to rush it — those crispy edges are pure flavor gems! Once done, transfer the sausage onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Step 2: Sautéing the Veggies in Sausage Goodness
Using the same skillet (don’t drain that sausage oil!), toss in the sliced mushrooms, red and yellow bell peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the mushrooms brown lightly and the peppers soften a bit. The garlic will release its aroma here — it smells amazing, trust me!
Step 3: Bringing it All Together
Next, add your gluten-free penne pasta, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Stir everything gently to combine, then cover with a lid and bring it up to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes. Stir every few minutes to keep the pasta from sticking and to check for doneness — you want al dente pasta with the broth mostly absorbed.
Step 4: Making the Sauce Irresistibly Creamy
When the pasta is cooked through, add chunks of cream cheese directly to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce thickens to a luscious creaminess that coats the pasta and veggies beautifully. This is the magic moment that turns this dish into a rich comfort meal.
Step 5: Finishing Touches and Serving
Stir your crispy sausage medallions back into the skillet and season with salt to taste. Give everything one final, big stir to distribute flavors evenly. If you like, sprinkle some fresh chopped Italian parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes on top before serving — these little garnishes add freshness and an extra layer of heat that elevates the whole dish.
Top Tip
After making this Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe many times, I’ve found a few small tricks that really make a difference — from maximizing flavor to perfect texture.
- Don’t Skip the Sausage Oil: Use the flavorful fat left in the pan after searing sausage to sauté your veggies — it adds smoky depth.
- Stir Regularly: While simmering the pasta, stir every couple of minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Cream Cheese at the End: Adding cream cheese last keeps it luscious and prevents it from separating.
- Test Your Pasta: Check pasta tenderness near the end — timing can vary slightly depending on the pasta brand.
How to Serve Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top mine with chopped fresh Italian parsley to brighten up the rich sauce and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to give it just the right zing of heat. Sometimes I add a few shaved Parmesan curls if I’m in an extra indulgent mood — it melts into the sauce beautifully.
Side Dishes
To balance the creaminess, I often serve this pasta with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette is always a win too — perfect for mopping up any extra sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve tried serving this recipe in individual cast-iron skillets for casual dinner parties. Everyone loves the rustic presentation, and it keeps the dish warm longer. For a fun weeknight spin, I sometimes stuff it into bell peppers and bake them — turning it into an easy bake ‘n’ serve meal that’s neat and flavorful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating gently on the stove with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce and avoid drying out.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this creamy pasta a couple of times and it freezes well as long as you reheat it slowly to prevent the sauce from breaking. Portion it out before freezing for easy grab-and-go meals.
Reheating
When reheating, add a little chicken broth or water and warm over medium-low heat, stirring often until everything is heated through and creamy again. Avoid the microwave for best texture but it works in a pinch!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While andouille sausage gives that signature smoky Cajun flavor, you can substitute with smoked kielbasa or even a spicy Italian sausage if you prefer.
Yes! Using gluten-free penne pasta makes this dish safe for gluten-sensitive eaters. Just be sure to check your Cajun seasoning and sausage labels for any hidden gluten ingredients.
You can try swapping the cream cheese for a vegan or dairy-free alternative and replacing sausage with plant-based “sausage” or mushrooms for extra heartiness, but it will change the flavor profile a bit.
The level of spice comes mostly from the Cajun seasoning and optional red pepper flakes. It has a moderate kick that can be adjusted up or down by adding more or less seasoning according to your taste.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe has a special spot on my weeknight rotation because it delivers bold, comforting flavors without hours in the kitchen. It’s easy enough for busy nights yet impressive enough to share with friends. I genuinely hope you give it a try and find the same cozy satisfaction I always do — plus, it’s fun to make it your own along the way!
Print
Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A flavorful and easy one pot creamy Cajun sausage pasta featuring andouille sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, and a rich cream cheese sauce perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Sausage and Vegetables
- 13 oz. andouille sausage links (about 4 links), sliced into medallions
- 6 oz. fresh baby bella mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
- ½ medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeds removed, and thinly sliced
- ½ medium yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeds removed, and thinly sliced
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
Other
- 12 oz. gluten-free penne pasta
- ½ cup canned diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 3 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons no-salt or low-salt Cajun seasoning mix
- 7 oz. cream cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Sausage: Add the sliced sausage medallions to a large skillet or braiser over medium heat and sear on both sides until they crisp up a bit, about 4 minutes total. Remove the sausage and place on a paper towel-lined plate, keeping the rendered sausage oil in the pan.
- Cook Veggies: In the same skillet with the sausage oil, add the mushrooms, red and yellow bell peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes or until the mushrooms begin to brown.
- Add Ingredients: Add the gluten-free penne pasta, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Stir gently until everything is evenly combined. Cover with a lid and bring the broth to a boil.
- Simmer Pasta: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the pasta simmer for 15 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and cooked al dente.
- Add Cream Cheese: Add the cream cheese to the skillet in chunks. Stir continuously until the cream cheese completely melts and forms a thick, creamy sauce coating the pasta and vegetables.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, season with salt to taste, and stir everything together well. Garnish with fresh Italian parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This one pot meal is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
- For a creamier texture, add an extra ounce of cream cheese or a splash of milk or cream.
- Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the overall saltiness, so season salt to taste at the end.
- Make sure to stir often during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 362 kcal
- Sugar: 4.6 g
- Sodium: 500.3 mg
- Fat: 21.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.3 g
- Fiber: 2.2 g
- Protein: 33.7 g
- Cholesterol: 90.7 mg
Leave a Reply