Description
An incredibly flavorful and easy one-pot pasta dish featuring smoked Cajun sausage, bell peppers, and tender pasta in a rich, creamy sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced into rounds
1 large onion, diced
1 large bell pepper (any color), diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
12 oz penne pasta (or rigatoni)
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large, deep pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
Step 2: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and Cajun seasoning, cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the dry pasta, stirring to ensure it's fully submerged in the liquid.
Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, fresh spinach, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the spinach has wilted.
Step 6: Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Toss everything together until well combined and coated in the creamy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 7: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the Cajun seasoning. If you don't have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half, but the sauce might be slightly less rich. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts much better than pre-shredded.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: American (Cajun-inspired)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg