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Easy Cajun Kielbasa Pasta for a Quick Weeknight Dinner

A close-up of creamy cajun kielbasa pasta featuring penne, sliced sausage, and green bell peppers on a white plate.
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Make this flavorful Cajun sausage pasta with kielbasa and noodles in under 30 minutes. It uses simple ingredients for an extraordinary, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 1 pound smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced into half-inch rounds
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and cook until the edges are lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic and the Cajun seasoning blend to the vegetables. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. This step blooms the spices for better flavor.
  5. Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice) and the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce warm through, but do not let it boil rapidly.
  7. Return the cooked kielbasa to the skillet. Stir in the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the noodles are fully coated in the creamy Cajun sauce.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • If you prefer a less spicy dish, start with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and taste the sauce before adding more.
  • For a richer flavor, use smoked andouille sausage instead of standard kielbasa.
  • This recipe works well as a one pot Cajun pasta if you cook the pasta directly in the broth mixture, adding extra liquid as needed.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/cajun-kielbasa-pasta-recipe/