Sausage Cajun Pasta

This creamy, mild Sausage Cajun Pasta is a quick 20-minute dinner that’s packed with flavor without the heat. If you have kids in sports or in school all week and want to sit down to a nice family meal together, this is the one you will want to make. 

Although Jace had two bowls of this pasta, for me, one was filling. It was perfectly seasoned and balanced out well between the tomato sauce, milk, seasonings, and whole wheat penne pasta. The great thing about this pasta is you can customize it as well. Instead of sausage, Kevin (my fiancé) swapped it out for chicken. So you can also customize this meal to your family's liking.

Creamy, flavorful Sausage Cajun Pasta made in just 20 minutes! Family-friendly, customizable with sausage or chicken & perfect for weeknight dinners.

Sausage Cajun Pasta in a bowl, ready to devour.

• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Serving size: 5
• Total cook time: 20 minutes
• Total prep time: 5-10 minutes
• Family friendly: YES we all customized ours and enjoyed it 
• Rating: 9/10

What Makes This Recipe Different?

When you think of "Cajun" you probably think of spice. This wasn't your typical spicy dinner although you could add more Cajun Seasoning or even red pepper flakes if you are looking for more spice. This meal felt like a comfort food - one bite and you're in heaven. 

Tips from my Kitchen

• If you are going to cook more than one meat - for us we did sausage and chicken - I suggest you make those on the stove while the pasta is cooking
• Although the original recipe called for heavy cream, we used milk and it was thick enough and worked out just fine

Inspiration Behind Sausage Cajun Pasta

This recipe was inspired by Mom's Dinner. We used a Whole Wheat Penne Pasta for a healthier choice, vegetable oil instead of olive oil, we omitted the bell pepper, replaced red onion with onion powder, used tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes (my son doesn't like the thick tomatoes), and milk instead of heavy whipping cream. 

If You Enjoy Pasta Recipes, You May Also Like

Adjust to Your Liking

  • Feel free to add red pepper flakes or more Cajun seasoning if you like the heat
  • Swap out your favorite meat - use sausage or chicken
  • If you don't have heavy whipping cream, just use milk like we did
  • Top the final product with more seasoning and cheese for an added flavor

Ingredients for Cajun Pasta

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Note: Substitute milk for heavy cream for a lighter version. Add more Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes if you prefer extra spice.

    Ingredients for Sausage Cajun Pasta lined up on the countertop.

    How to Make Cajun Pasta

    ✓ Step #1: Cook the pasta on the stove - Cook the pasta according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, make the sausage and chicken. While pasta cooks dice chicken into pieces, cut sausage into rounds. Cook both on the stove separately, flipping every few minutes, until cooked all the way through or until it's cooked to your liking. Add to a bowl or plate separately.
    Drain pasta. 

    Sausage and chicken for Cajun Pasta in bowls.

    Whole Wheat Penne, drained, ready to form Sausage Cajun Pasta.

    ✓ Step #2: Gather your seasonings - In a bowl, add the tsp of Cajun seasoning, the tsp of paprika, the 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

    Seasonings in a bowl.

    ✓ Step #3: Add oil to pan – Add a frying pan to the stove on medium heat. Add in your 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 1 tsp garlic powder and cook in the oil for 20-30 seconds. Add in the pasta, sausage (chicken, or both), and tomato sauce. Stir for a few minutes to combine. 

    All ingredients for Cajun Pasta in a pan on the stove.

    Combined ingredients for Sausage Cajun Pasta on a stove.

    ✓ Step #4: Stir in milk – Stir in the milk, turn heat to high and boil. Once boiling, turn to low and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes. 

    ✓ Step #5: Serve – Serve in bowls and eat immediately. Top with more seasonings and cheese if desired. 

    Sausage Cajun Pasta in a bowl, ready to eat.

    Keep This Pasta Fresh

    Store the pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for two minutes, or until warm.

    About the Author

    Abbie Guerrero is the creator of Savvy with Abbie and has been blogging since 2009. She has developed over 800 original recipes and shares thoughtful book reviews and personal reflections. Writing has been a lifelong passion and a meaningful form of self-expression. Recipe and photos by Abbie Guerrero. All photos are original.

    What Did You Think?

    Did you make this delicious Cajun pasta? Did you love it?

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