5-Ingredient Cajun Pasta
This quick and easy Cajun pasta features bow tie pasta tossed with perfectly browned smoked sausage, a vibrant seasoning blend, and a rich, creamy sauce infused with Cajun spices. Finished with Parmesan cheese, it's a hearty and flavorful dish that comes together in just 25 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For cooking pasta
- 1 Large Skillet For sautéing sausage and preparing sauce
- 1 Colander For draining pasta
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
Main
- 12 ounces bow tie pasta
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 14 ounce package smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
- 1 10 ounce frozen seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning or more to taste
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- finely chopped parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add bow tie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente; drain well and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced smoked sausage to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
- Add the frozen seasoning blend to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Return the browned sausage to the skillet with the seasoning blend. Stir in Cajun seasoning, adding more to taste if desired.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Add the drained cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and sausage.
- Toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated in the creamy sauce and heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately, garnished with finely chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Achieve a deeper flavor by browning the smoked sausage thoroughly before adding the seasoning blend, allowing the fond to develop. When adding the frozen seasoning blend, ensure it's fully defrosted and tender before introducing the cream to prevent a watery sauce. Adjust Cajun seasoning to your preference, tasting as you go. For a richer finish, a touch of cream cheese or mascarpone can be stirred in with the heavy cream. Garnish with fresh parsley to add a vibrant color and herbaceous note that cuts through the richness.