Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta Dinner
Sally Thompson
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.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine Cajun-inspired
Servings 6 servings
Calories 580 kcal
- 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
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.
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.
Serving: 1bowl (about 1.5 cups)Calories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 20gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 870mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g
Keyword creamy cajun sausage pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe