Bring the heat to your dinner table with our Cajun Pasta with Sausage – a 30-minute meal that’s versatile, flavorful, and perfect for any day of the week.

Its fiery blend of Cajun cream sauce, robust Italian sausage, and vibrant veggies are sure to impress.

cajun pasta with sausage in a saute pan. this recipe
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Perfect sides! This pasta with sausage is perfect alongside a simple summer squash salad or cauliflower tabbouleh.

Reasons to Love this Recipe

There are plenty of reasons why you’ll love this Cajun sausage pasta recipe:

  • Ease and Speed: If easy and quick recipes are your thing, such as margherita pasta, then this one’s a keeper. Perfect for those chaotic weeknight dinners or when time’s not on your side, our recipe boasts uncomplicated ingredients and clear instructions. Plus, you can prep the sauce up to five days ahead.
  • The Power of Choice: It’s a versatile recipe you can customize easily. Got some veggies that need to be used? Throw them into the mix. We’ve even provided a list of great add-in ideas – check the section below.
  • Sauce-ibility: While this recipe calls for a Cajun seasoning-based sauce, don’t let that limit your culinary adventures. Check our sauce alternatives below and choose whatever fits your mood.  

Ingredients

Here are the key players of this easy pasta recipe:

ingredients for creamy cajun sausage pasta.
  • Dry short cut pasta: Whether you choose tubes, twists, or bows – they all work well to soak up the delicious sauce. And if you’re in a pinch, spaghetti is fine, too.
  • Italian sausage: Brings a hearty, robust zing, elevating our Cajun pasta from delicious to downright divine. To appeal to a wider variety of tastes, we recommend the milder version.
  • Bell pepper: Brings a unique sweetness and a hint of tang, brilliantly balancing out those spicy Cajun flavors. Use any color you like!
  • Cajun cream sauce: This creamy dream binds our ingredients together, bathing the pasta and sausage in an irresistible blend of smooth and spicy.
  • Baby spinach: Gives a nutritional boost, while also providing a nice freshness with a subtle earthiness. 
  • Parmesan cheese: Melts into the pasta, adding a layer of umami flavor that brings all the other ingredients together. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of cheese?

See the recipe card for quantities.

Love recipes with Italian sausage? Try our Sausage Cacciatore for an easy weeknight meal!

Add-Ins

Ready to take this Cajun pasta recipe to new heights? Check out these optional add-ins:

  • Canned chickpeas: Add a wonderful nutty flavor and extra protein. Also, give a nice texture contrast with the creamy sauce and pasta. Remember to rinse and drain first.
  • Mushrooms: Earthy and savory, they add more depth to the dish, while their meaty texture works well with the sausage. Slice them up and quickly sauté.
  • Cherry tomatoes: Bursting with juicy sweetness, they add a pleasant tangy note that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
  • Red onions: For a touch of sweetness and some smoky goodness, roast until caramelized and slightly charred.
  • Shrimp: If you’re a seafood lover, shrimp’s sweet, slightly briny flavor pairs well with the spicy Cajun seasoning.
  • Tofu: For our vegetarian and vegan friends, this is a protein-packed option that soaks up the Cajun cream sauce beautifully, while echoing the hearty bite of the sausage.

Variations

If you’re not a fan of Cajun seasoning, we have plenty of sauces you can use as an alternative. Check them out:

  • Spicy Tomato: An enticing blend of fiery spice and creamy tomato that takes just ten minutes to make.
  • Lemon Garlic: A zesty twist, with garlic undertones providing a nice warmth – giving your dish a lighter, Mediterranean spin.
  • Creamy Mushroom: Blanket the pasta in a luxurious, umami-filled creaminess that nicely complements the sausage.
  • Tomato Vodka: Tomatoes and vodka work together to pack a flavorful punch!
  • Vegan Tomato Vodka: Harness coconut milk to create a smooth creaminess without dairy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Time to bring this spicy pasta dish to life! Just follow these simple steps and get ready for an amazing meal. Check out the recipe card below if you need more help.

pasta in a pot with reserve pasta water in a measuring cup on the side.

Step 1: Cook the pasta until al dente. Before draining, scoop out about ½ cup of cooked pasta water.

drained pasta in a pot.

Step 2: Drain the rest of the pasta water and leave the pasta in the pan.

cooked Italian sausage and bell pepper in a saute pan.

Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan. Add the Italian sausage and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally until the sausage is no longer pink.

Step 4: Add cream sauce and spinach. Cook until spinach is wilted.

cooked pasta over sausage in cream sauce in saute pan.

Step 5: Add the cooked pasta and some of the reserved pasta water.

tossed cooked pasta with cooked Italian sausage and cajun cream sauce.

Step 6: Stir the cooked pasta with sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Make ahead. This is a quick and easy recipe when you have cajun cream sauce on hand. Feel free to double or even triple the cream sauce and store refrigerated for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Make it spicier. If you like to add more heat, try spicy Italian sausage (pork or chicken). You can also make it spicier by adding more cajun seasoning to the sauce. Just make sure to watch how much seasoning you add so it doesn’t end up being too salty, especially if the seasoning has salt.
  • Make it gluten-free. Use certified gluten-free pasta of choice to make it a gluten-free dish.

Recipe FAQs

Can you use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! This recipe calls for dry short cut pasta – it holds up well to the thick sauce and chunky ingredients. Choices include penne pasta, rotini, farfalle, or whatever your favorite may be.

But really, you can use any type of pasta you like – even spaghetti. 

What goes with Cajun pasta?

When it comes to sides for this Cajun pasta dish, we love to keep things simple. This dish is so packed with flavors and textures, it really does shine on its own.

A nice, crisp house salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a perfect counterpoint to the rich, creamy pasta. Freshly baked sourdough garlic bread is also a good idea – great for scooping up any leftover sauce. 

Do you have to use Italian sausage?

No, not exactly. While Italian sausage does add a nice depth of flavor, the beauty of this pasta dish is its flexibility.

Feel free to use any type of sausage you prefer or have on hand – chicken, turkey, or even spicy chorizo all work wonderfully.

And if you’re not the biggest fan of sausage, try chicken or shrimp. For vegetarians, tofu also works well. 

Can you make this recipe ahead of time? 

Absolutely! Cajun sausage pasta is a great make-ahead meal. Just cook the pasta and sauce separately, let them cool, and store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. 

When you’re ready to serve, warm the sauce, toss it with the pasta, and voila! Dinner is served.

close up of creamy pasta with cream sausage, Italian sausage, bell peppers, and spinach in a skillet.

You May Also Like…

Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

Lemon Sausage Pasta

Chicken Sausage and Broccolini Pasta

Pumpkin Sausage Pasta

If you try Cajun Pasta with Sausage or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how you like the recipe in the comments below.

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cajun pasta with sausage in a saute pan.

Cajun Pasta with Sausage

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 30 min
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Cajun
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Description

Bring the heat to your dinner table with our Cajun Pasta with Sausage – a 30-minute meal that’s versatile, flavorful, and perfect for any day of the week. 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 8 oz. dry short cut pasta or any other pasta of choice
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 mild Italian sausages, about 14 oz., removed from casing
  • 1/2 bell pepper, any color, diced
  • 1 recipe Cajun Cream Sauce
  • 1 handful fresh baby spinach
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, for serving
  • Kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
  2. In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and bell peppers, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8-12 minutes, or until the sausage is crumbled and no longer pink.
  3. Add cream sauce and spinach. Cook until spinach is wilted.
  4. Stir in cooked pasta and some of the reserved pasta water. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Pasta: Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
  • Sausage: For a spicier taste, use hot sausage, chicken, or pork.
  • Cream sauce: Cream sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead of time. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. It’s also a great sauce to double or even triple as it freezes well for up to 3 months.