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One-pot creamy Cajun sausage pasta totally saves my weeknights. After running around all day, it's so nice to just toss everything together and have a cheesy, flavor-packed meal in no time. And hey, less to clean up afterward.
The first time I whipped this up, the kitchen smelled incredible from the sausage and garlic. Now we make it over and over again for those nights when we just need something cozy.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Cheddar cheese: Melts down and brings all the flavors together
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce extra lush and creamy
- Rotel tomatoes: Adds tang and a little bit of heat, super easy in a can
- Bowtie pasta: Holds onto the sauce so well
- Andouille sausage: Adds smoky Cajun kick, but honestly, any kind will do
Getting that sausage browned deepens the taste and makes everything so much richer.
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Let's Dive In
- Step 5:
- Pasta turns comfy and soft, cheese and sausage melt right in, and you've got creamy, spicy goodness.
- Step 4:
- Dump in all the extras now. You don't even need to drain the pasta—let it cook straight in the sauce.
- Step 3:
- Next, add garlic right into the tasty sausage grease. It’ll make your house smell amazing.
- Step 2:
- Sizzle sausage until the cut sides brown. Get those flavorful crispy bits on the pan—leave them, they add loads of flavor!
- Step 1:
- First, slice up your sausage into coins. I keep them thick enough so they crisp up on the edges.
One soggy evening with barely anything in the freezer, I threw in some frozen peas at the end. Now that's our favorite twist—adds color and a little bonus veg!
Switch It Up
This dish is super chill and easy to change. Sometimes I'll add mushrooms or broccoli, or sauté peppers and onions along with the garlic. When I want to fancy it up, a few shrimp tossed in at the last minute feels like eating out—without leaving home.
Great For Planning Ahead
This pasta totally holds up for lunch the next day. The sauce thickens after sitting in the fridge, but just add a splash of milk or cream when you warm it up, and it’s perfect again.
Feeds Everyone
Want to make more with what you have? Toss in extra veggies or serve with slices of garlicky bread. When I’ve got a hungry crowd, I just double everything—just be sure your pot is big enough for all that pasta!
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This meal has gotten me out of a dinner jam so many times. Creamy sauce clings to every bowtie, sausage gives these zippy bites, and that cheese brings everything together. Super comforting. Great for feeding a crowd or just having killer leftovers for tomorrow.
Let cooking be something you enjoy. Don’t sweat it if you have to swap things out or play with the spices—this dish is hard to mess up. Taste as you go, and you’ll end up with something awesome every single time.
Recipe FAQs
- → How can I make this less spicy?
- Try milder sausage and swap Rotel for plain diced tomatoes. Lower the cajun seasoning or just skip it if you want.
- → Can I use different pasta shapes?
- Totally! Switch to any short pasta. Just keep an eye on it in case it needs a tiny bit more or less cook time.
- → What vegetables can I add?
- Toss in mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers or onions. Put the sturdy veggies in with the garlic.
- → Can I use turkey sausage?
- Sure! Just toss in a bit of oil since turkey’s leaner than andouille.
- → How do I store leftovers?
- Stick leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge and they'll be good for 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream if it's thick.