Description
Cajun Sausage Spaghetti is a flavorful one-pot meal packed with smoky, spicy, and creamy goodness. Made with chicken, Cajun andouille sausage, roasted red peppers, and a spiced creamy tomato sauce, it’s the perfect dinner for anyone craving bold flavors.
Ingredients
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1–2 jalapeños, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
6 cloves garlic, minced
¾ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
½ pound chicken
¾ pound andouille sausage, sliced into ¼-inch coins
2 (14-ounce) cans fire-roasted tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
½–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 cups chicken broth
12 ounces spaghetti pasta (¾ of a 1-pound box)
¾ cup roasted red pepper strips
½ cup heavy cream
Cajun seasoning, to taste (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Additional parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Finely chop the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeños. Mince the garlic. Grate the parmesan cheese. Chop the chicken and slice the sausage into ¼-inch coins. Optionally, puree the fire-roasted tomatoes for a smoother consistency.
- Crisp the chicken: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped chicken and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain all but about 1-2 tablespoons of grease from the pan.
- Brown the sausage: Add the sliced sausage to the pan and brown for about 8–10 minutes. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain with the chicken. Drain all but about 1-2 tablespoons of grease in the pan.
- Sauté the vegetables: Reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and jalapeños to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Caramelize the tomato paste and spices: Stir in the tomato paste, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens and begins to caramelize.
- Boil the pasta: Add the fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, cooked chicken, and sausage to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil. Add the pasta and stir until it’s fully submerged. Cover the skillet with an offset lid to prevent boil-overs and help the pasta cook evenly. Boil for 8–11 minutes (or 2–3 minutes before the pasta reaches al dente), stirring every 1–2 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Simmer and finish: Add the roasted red peppers, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and the pasta is fully cooked. Taste and adjust with Cajun seasoning, salt, or pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the Cajun sausage spaghetti hot, topped with additional parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
You can substitute andouille sausage with any smoked sausage or Italian sausage for a slightly different flavor.
Adjust the heat by adding more red pepper flakes or incorporating more jalapeños for extra spice. Skip the jalapeños for a milder version.
Fire-roasted tomatoes add a smoky flavor, but you can use regular diced tomatoes and add a pinch of smoked paprika for the smoky effect.
Feel free to use any pasta shape like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni. Adjust the cooking time based on the pasta you use.
This dish is best served fresh, but you can prep the vegetables, sausage, and chicken ahead of time to save time on the cooking day.
While freezing is not ideal due to the creamy sauce and pasta texture, this dish can be stored in the fridge for up to 3–4 days and reheated.
Parmesan can be substituted with mozzarella or cheddar, though parmesan adds a unique salty, nutty flavor.
For a dairy-free version, use non-dairy cream and omit the parmesan cheese. Nutritional yeast is a good substitute for the cheese flavor.
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms for extra nutrients and flavor.
Stir the pasta every 1–2 minutes to avoid sticking. Adding a bit of oil to the pasta water before boiling can also help prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
