Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces of rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound of smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Feel free to customize! If you’re short on smoked sausage, Italian sausage works well too. And for a bit more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Instructions
- Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and sliced bell pepper. Sauté until the onion is translucent and the peppers are tender, about 4-5 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the cooked rigatoni and browned sausage back into the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta and sausage in the creamy sauce.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.
A little tip from my kitchen: If you want a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer. And remember, tasting as you go is the key to balancing flavors!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Sausage Rigatoni, recipe, cooking, food
