Description
Looking for a bold, creamy dinner idea that’s ready in under 30 minutes? This Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Dinner combines smoky sausage, bowtie pasta, and a spicy Cajun cream sauce into a comforting one-pan meal the whole family will love. Whether you need a quick dinner, a cozy comfort food fix, or a crowd-pleasing weeknight option, this easy recipe delivers rich flavor with minimal effort. Ideal for fans of Southern-inspired cooking, quick meals, and pasta dishes that don’t hold back on flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound farfalle pasta
12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add sliced sausage and sauté until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add chopped onions and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Add diced tomatoes and Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir and let simmer for 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix until cheese melts into the sauce.
7. Return sausage and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water.
8. Serve hot, optionally topped with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and creates a smoother sauce than pre-shredded.
Taste the Cajun seasoning before adding—some blends are saltier or spicier than others.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy cajun sausage pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe