One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 12 ounces smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced into rounds
02 - 8 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
03 - 1 cup diced bell peppers (mixed colors)
04 - ½ cup diced onion
05 - 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)

→ For the Sauce

06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
08 - 1 ½ cups chicken broth
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
11 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
12 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra spice)
13 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For Garnish

14 - Chopped fresh parsley
15 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
16 - Red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)

# Instructions:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until it's nicely browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes. Those browned bits will add tons of flavor to your final dish! Once browned, transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside, but keep all those flavorful drippings in the pan.
02 - Toss the diced bell peppers and onions into the same pan with the sausage drippings. Sauté them until they start to soften and the onions become translucent, about 3-4 minutes. The vegetables will pick up all the smoky flavor left behind by the sausage.
03 - Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning and garlic powder over the vegetables and stir well to coat everything evenly. If you're using the cayenne pepper for extra heat, add it now too. Cook for about 30 seconds until the spices become fragrant – your kitchen should start smelling amazing!
04 - Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. These bits are packed with flavor! Bring the liquid to a simmer.
05 - Add the uncooked pasta directly to the simmering broth. Stir well to make sure all the pasta is submerged. Cook according to the package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta will absorb the flavorful broth as it cooks.
06 - Once the pasta is al dente (tender but still with a bit of bite), reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and add the shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
07 - Add the browned sausage back to the pan and stir to combine everything. If you're using spinach, fold it in now – it will wilt quickly from the heat of the pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste, remembering that the Cajun seasoning and Parmesan already add saltiness.
08 - Remove the pan from heat and let it sit for a minute or two – the sauce will continue to thicken slightly. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve directly from the pot. For those who want extra flavor, offer additional Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes at the table.

# Notes:

01 - This one-pot meal comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without a lot of cleanup.
02 - Feel free to adjust the spice level to your taste by adding more or less Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper.
03 - For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, though the sauce won't be quite as rich.

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