Save A quick, creamy pasta dish featuring smoky sausage, spicy Cajun flavors, and tender penne. Perfect for busy weeknights and ready in just 20 minutes.
Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish comes together fast and offers a satisfying blend of flavors my family loves.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta, 1 tbsp salt (for pasta water)
- Sausage & Vegetables: 12 oz (340 g) smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 small yellow onion finely diced, 1 red bell pepper diced, 2 cloves garlic minced
- Sauce: 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) heavy cream, 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (more or less to taste), 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water
- Garnish: 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water then drain and set aside.
- Step 2:
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced smoked sausage and cook 2 3 minutes until browned.
- Step 3:
- Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 2 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds more.
- Step 4:
- Reduce heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream and stir in Cajun seasoning black pepper and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 5:
- Add Parmesan cheese stirring to melt. If the sauce is too thick add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Step 6:
- Toss cooked penne into the sauce and sausage mixture. Stir until pasta is well coated and heated through.
- Step 7:
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.
Save This recipe brings my family together especially on hectic nights where a quick homemade meal is a true blessing.
Notes
Substitute fettuccine or rigatoni if preferred. Lighten up by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream but the sauce will be thinner.
Required Tools
Large pot, large skillet, chefs knife, cutting board, wooden spoon or spatula, measuring cups and spoons, colander
Allergen Information
Contains milk/dairy (cream Parmesan cheese). Contains wheat/gluten (penne pasta). Contains possible sulfites (in smoked sausage). Always check sausage and spice blend labels for hidden allergens.
Save This easy recipe offers the perfect blend of spice and creaminess making it a weeknight favorite.