Description
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines spicy andouille sausage, sautéed vegetables, and creamy cheese sauce with gluten-free penne pasta. Cooked entirely in one skillet, this meal is both convenient and delicious, perfect for a weeknight dinner that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sausage
- 13 oz. andouille sausage links (about 4 links), sliced into medallions
Vegetables
- 6 oz. fresh baby bella mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeds removed, and thinly sliced
- 1/2 medium yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeds removed, and thinly sliced
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
Pasta & Liquids
- 12 oz. gluten-free penne pasta
- 1/2 cup (120 g) canned, diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 3 1/2 cups (830 ml) chicken broth
Seasonings & Dairy
- 2 tablespoons no-salt or low-salt Cajun seasoning mix
- 7 oz. cream cheese
- Salt to taste
- Fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook sausage: Add the sausage medallions to a large skillet or braiser over medium heat and sear them on both sides until they crisp up slightly, about 4 minutes total. Once cooked, remove the sausage and place it on a paper towel-lined plate, keeping the rendered sausage oil in the skillet.
- Cook veggies: In the same skillet with the sausage oil, add the sliced mushrooms, red and yellow bell peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes or until the mushrooms start to brown and the vegetables soften.
- Add ingredients: Add the gluten-free penne pasta, canned diced fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the broth to a boil.
- Cook pasta: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the pasta simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. Cook until the pasta is tender but still al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add cream cheese: Add chunks of cream cheese to the skillet and stir until the cream cheese completely melts, creating a thick, creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Combine sausage and finish: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, add salt to taste, and give everything a thorough stir to combine. Garnish the pasta with freshly chopped Italian parsley and optional red pepper flakes. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use a low-sodium or no-salt Cajun seasoning to control the salt content.
- Searing the sausage helps render flavorful oil and adds depth to the dish.
- Stir the pasta frequently while simmering to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- If you prefer more sauce, you can add a splash of chicken broth at the end.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add extra Cajun seasoning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of the recipe)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
