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One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta The Lazy Dish - Fast, Flavorful, and Satisfying

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced into coins
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 to 2 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (more or less to taste)
  • 8 ounces short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or sub with more milk and a knob of cream cheese)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish (optional)

Method
 

  1. Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high. Add sliced sausage and cook 3–4 minutes per side until browned. Remove to a plate.
  2. Sauté the veg: Add onion and bell pepper to the pot with a pinch of salt. Cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and Cajun seasoning for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Build the base: Return sausage to the pot. Add pasta, chicken broth, and milk. Stir, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom.
  4. Simmer: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring once or twice, until pasta is al dente. If liquid cooks down too fast, splash in a little more broth or water.
  5. Make it creamy: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Add spinach if using. Simmer uncovered 2–3 minutes, stirring, until sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
  6. Season and serve: Taste and add salt, pepper, or extra Cajun seasoning as needed. Garnish with parsley or green onions. Serve hot.