What goes well with smoked sausage?

Smoked sausage pairs beautifully with starchy sides like pasta, rice, or potatoes. It also complements sweet and savory vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and cabbage. For Cajun-style meals, try it with creamy sauces, blackened shrimp, or sautéed greens.

What pasta goes with sausage?

Short pasta like penne, rigatoni, and rotini work well with sausage because they hold onto the sauce and catch small bits of meat and seasoning. Long noodles like fettuccine or linguine are also great if you prefer twirling pasta. In Cajun sausage pasta, the pasta should be sturdy enough to stand up to a thick, creamy sauce.

What meat tastes good with pasta?

Besides sausage, chicken, shrimp, ground beef, pancetta, and even slow-braised short ribs go great with pasta. It all depends on the sauce and style. In Cajun dishes, smoked sausage and shrimp are a classic duo, offering bold flavor and balance.

What sauce goes with sausage?

Smoked sausage is rich and flavorful, so it pairs well with creamy sauces, tomato-based sauces, and mustard or wine reductions. In Cajun cooking, a creamy, spiced sauce made from broth, cream, and Cajun seasoning is the go-to. It smooths out the sausage’s smoky heat and wraps everything in comfort.

Is Cajun style smoked sausage hot?

Cajun-style smoked sausage can range from mildly spiced to quite hot, depending on the brand. Most have a smoky, peppery kick, but aren’t overwhelming. If you're sensitive to spice, look for mild or turkey-based options. Want more fire? Choose andouille sausage or add cayenne and hot sauce. Either way, the cream in Cajun pasta tones down the spice and brings balance to the dish.

Easy Cajun Pasta with Smoked Sausage

Name: Cajun Pasta with Smoked Sausage
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced; 8 oz penne pasta; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 onion, chopped; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan; Fresh parsley for garnish

Description

A creamy, one-skillet Cajun pasta loaded with smoky sausage, bold spices, and rich Southern flavor—ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz smoked sausage, sliced

8 oz penne or rotini pasta

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 tbsp Cajun seasoning

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the sliced smoked sausage, then remove and set aside.

2. Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.

3. Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning and black pepper. Toast spices for 30 seconds.

4. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the skillet to lift up flavor.

5. Add uncooked penne pasta. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12–14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

6. Return the sausage to the skillet. Stir in Parmesan. Let the sauce thicken for 2–3 minutes.

7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Use andouille sausage for a spicier version.

If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a splash of broth or cream.

Pasta shapes like rotini or rigatoni also work well.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 590
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 1020mg
Fat: 36g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 90mg