A hearty and flavor-packed dish made with smoked sausage, bell peppers, and a creamy sauce enveloping penne pasta, perfectly seasoned with Cajun spices.
Servings 4servings
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Cajun, Southern
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
8ozpenne pasta
1lbsmoked sausage, sliced
1tablespoonCajun seasoning
1cupheavy creamCan be substituted with half-and-half or plant-based cream.
1cupshredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
1piecebell pepper, diced
1pieceonion, diced
2clovesgarlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oilFor sautéing.
Method
Preparation
In a large pot, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In the same pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat.
Add the sliced sausage, diced bell pepper, diced onion, and minced garlic; sauté until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are soft.
Stir in the Cajun seasoning and cook for an additional minute to release its aromatic flavors.
Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the shredded cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
Fold in the cooked penne pasta, tossing until everything is evenly coated in the sauce.
Season with salt and pepper to taste for an extra layer of flavor.
You can swap the penne pasta for any pasta shape you prefer. For a lighter option, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream. Optionally, add chopped spinach or diced tomatoes for extra nutrition, or spice things up with cayenne pepper if you like it hot! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if necessary.