Cajun Pasta – Culinary Hill

Invest 5 minutes of prep time, and this one-pot Cajun Pasta cooks itself. Studded with chicken and Andouille sausage and infused with a creamy tomato sauce, this is one of my favorite recipes (and easiest dinner recipes!) for weeknights.

Have you ever had one of those weeks when time refused to pass at a normal rate? When it feels like the world is set to “fast-forward,” I swear by this one-pot Cajun Pasta recipe.

This is a nod to some of my favorite Louisiana recipes, like Chicken Gumbo and Jambalaya. (Yes, the “Holy Trinity” is invited!) But in this 40-minute meal, the pasta, chicken, and sausage all cook together in the Cajun cream sauce. That means you only need one pan and 5 minutes to set yourself (and 3 lucky dinner companions) up for dinner success.

If you’re not a huge fan of spicy fare, fear not. The bold spice in this recipe is tempered by the cream and cheese that you add near the end. The finished flavors that dance through this creamy Cajun sausage pasta recipe is something you’ll want to return to again and again. Just like New Orleans itself!

Recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

• Cajun seasoning: Hot, peppery Cajun seasoning is essential for Cajun-style blackened fish or chicken. It’s a spice blend of cayenne pepper, paprika, dried thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder. If you make your own, you can tailor the spice to exactly the level you want it. Homemade Cajun seasoning is easy—you probably already have the ingredients in your pantry.
• Onion, bell pepper, and celery: You might hear this aromatic trio referred to as the “holy trinity” in Cajun and Louisiana Creole cuisine. Cook this own in a couple tablespoons of olive oil (or butter) to get the party started for this creamy Cajun chicken pasta.
• Penne: Penne has some bite and doesn’t turn sludgy, which is the biggest complaint of failed one-pot pasta recipes.
• Chicken broth: Store-bought or homemade chicken broth both work beautifully in the pasta sauce.
• Heavy cream: Just ½ cup takes this from a Cajun sauce to a creamy Cajun sauce. Half-and-half also works if that’s what you have handy.

Step by step instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, dried thyme, and salt and pepper to taste (I like ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper). Set aside.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil until shimmering. Add onion, peppers, and celery and cook until softened. Add Andouille sausage and cook until browned.

3. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chicken and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring often, until chicken is browned and cooked through.

4. Stir in pasta, diced tomatoes and juice, and chicken broth. Increase heat to boil and simmer uncovered until pasta is al dente and almost all of the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.

5. Stir in heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield: This creamy Cajun pasta recipes makes 4 generous (2-cup) main dish servings, each with 4 ounces of pasta, 4 ounces of chicken, 2 ounces of Andouille, and plenty of creamy, zesty tomato sauce. My family is usually satisfied with just this, but sometimes I add a Fruit Salad or Kale Salad on the side to round out the meal.
• Storage: Store leftovers covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Customize your veggies: The recipe calls for red bell peppers, but orange, yellow, or green bell pepper work just fine too. Or toss in a handful of sliced mushrooms or some frozen corn.
• Customize your pasta: This recipe is designed for penne. Instead of cooking it according to package instructions (followed by a drain), you add it right to the pot to cook with the rest of the ingredients. If you opt for smaller shaped pasta, cut back the cooking liquid dramatically to avoid having excess water in the sauce and a mushy, overcooked pasta dish. If you choose spaghetti or linguini, you may want to break your dried pasta in half so it fits in the pan better. Seek out gluten-free pasta if needed.
• Cajun chicken: Tender, juicy Cajun Chicken breasts are great for quick dinners or meal prep. Use store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning and pair with your favorite starch and vegetable for dinner in 15 minutes or less.
• Cajun chicken Alfredo: One of my most popular restaurant copycat recipes, Cajun Chicken Alfredo gets an extra punch of flavor from broccoli, homemade cajun seasoning, and a creamy homemade Alfredo sauce. All of this can be yours after just 10 minutes of prep time!
• Gumbo: Hearty Chicken Gumbo over rice is the ultimate Mardi Gras dinner. This chicken and sausage stew is so delicious, though, you’ll want to make the easy gumbo recipe all year long.
• Jambalaya: Midwest meets big easy in one big pot. Wisconsin-Style Jambalaya is packed with tender chicken, shrimp, and sausage for a hearty 30-minute meal.

Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.