Description
This Cajun Sausage Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish featuring smoked pork sausage, sautéed mushrooms, and a spicy Cajun-infused sauce simmered with penne pasta. Finished with fresh basil and parmesan cheese, it offers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors in a one-pot pasta meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage & Vegetables
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound pork sausage (ideally smoked, sliced)
- 5 ounces white mushrooms (sliced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (julienned)
- 1/2 red bell pepper (chopped)
Sauce & Pasta
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 3 cups uncooked penne pasta
Finishing Touches
- 8 leaves fresh basil (thinly sliced)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (to taste)
Instructions
- Brown Sausage: Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat, add sliced pork sausage and brown for 5 minutes. Drain excess grease if sausage is very fatty, but this is optional based on sausage leanness.
- Sauté Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms to the pot and sauté for about 3 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add Aromatics and Vegetables: Stir in minced garlic, Dijon mustard, sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped red bell pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes to develop flavors.
- Simmer Pasta in Sauce: Pour in chicken broth, half-and-half, and sprinkle Cajun seasoning. Add the uncooked penne pasta and increase heat to high. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium or medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.
- Season and Finish: Season the pasta with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, then serve topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use smoked sausage for a deeper flavor profile.
- Stir frequently during pasta cooking to prevent sticking to the pot.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount to your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half with milk or a lighter cream alternative.
- Parmesan cheese topping is optional but highly recommended for added richness.
