Cajun Sausage and Spinach Pasta, anyone? This one-pan meal is a recipe you’ll want to add to your collection. A creamy goodness features heavy cream, spinach, onions, tomatoes, and Cajun-smoked sausages, offering a slight spicy kick with every bite.
Everyone has a go-to comfort food, and for us, it’s pasta. I mean, who doesn’t love pasta? Joe and I typically enjoy pasta at least two nights a week, and you can probably guess that our Cajun sausage and spinach dish has earned a spot in our weekly meal rotation. It’s our absolute favorite go-to meal, especially when we want to get dinner on the table quickly.
Why You’ll Love This Cajun Sausage and Spinach Pasta?
If you love a good one-pan meal, this dish is for you! With fewer pots and pans to mess up, you will love that this dish is also a time saver in the kitchen, and we all know that after being at work all day, who wants to do another shift in the kitchen?
This dish is so delicious and flavorful that you will want to return for seconds. Every ingredient is a perfect combination and is incredibly simple. It’s not only a quick meal to cook, but it’s also wallet-friendly.
Key Ingredients & Swaps
- Protein enhances the dish with flavorful options like rich Cajun smoked sausage or chicken sausage, both of which are delicious additions.
- Pasta: Types of Pasta you can use (Penne, Rigatoni, Bow Tie)
- Veggies: The recipe calls for a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables, including tender spinach, sweet onions, tomatoes, and aromatic garlic.
- Spices: Cajun Seasoning, Chili Seasonings
- Cheese: Parmesan Cheese, Cream Cheese
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream enhances pasta dishes by adding richness and creaminess. It creates a smooth, velvety sauce that clings to pasta and balances the flavors, contributing to a more indulgent and satisfying meal.
- Olive Oil is used for sautéing at the start of building the dish. It allows the ingredients to cook and helps keep them from burning when cooked at the right amount of heat.
How to Make Cajun Sausage and Spinach Pasta
Prep Work: (Having your ingredients prepped and ready will make the cooking process much quicker)
- Diced the Onion.
- Minced the garlic cloves.
- Sliced the smoked sausage into 1/4 inch slices.
- Cube the cream cheese into small chunks to melt faster. Tip: Use at room temperature to soften works best)
- Wash the spinach thoroughly and chop it if the leaves are large.
First Step: Heat the Oil
- Place a large skillet over medium Heat and add 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil.
- Allow the oil to warm up for 30 seconds.
Second Step: Saute the Onions and Garlic
- Add the diced onions to the hot oil and cook for 1 minute until soft. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for 45 seconds. Lower the heat if necessary to prevent the garlic from burning.
Third Step: Cook the smoked sausage
- Add the sliced smoked sausages to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned.
Fourth Step: Tomatoes and Cream Cheese
- Pour in the canned or diced tomatoes. Add in the cubed cream cheese.
- Stir gently and allow the mixture to cook for 2-3 minutes.
Fifth Step: Pasta and Broth
- Stir in the uncooked pasta and pour in the Chicken Broth, making sure that the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Bring to a light boil and allow the pasta to cook in the simmering mixture. Be sure the sti occasionally, until it’s just al dente or check for packaging for the timing.
Sixth Step: Adding the Cream, Spinach, and Seasonings
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well, and then add in the fresh spinach and your seasonings. Stir to make sure everything is evenly combined.
Seventh Step: Simmer, Cover, and Cool
- Cover the skillet with a lid and allow the dish to simmer gently for 15 minutes. This is when all the flavors come together and the spinach wilts.
- After simmering, turn the heat off to let the dish cool down for 3-5 minutes before serving.
What Pairs with this dish?
- Side Salad: Garden or Caesar Salad
- Steamed Vegetables such as Broccoli, Vegetable Medley
- Bread: Garlic Bread, Dinner Rolls
Side Note: If you enjoy a glass of wine, choose wine that will balance out the bold flavors of this dish.
Have you seen my other One-Pan Meals?
Cajun Sausage and Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 small Onion
- 2-3 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 lb. Smoke Sausages Sliced
- ½ lb. Rigatoni
- 1/2 Tomatoes Diced
- 2 cups Spinach Fresh
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 4 oz Cream Cheese Room Temperature
- 1 tbsp. Cajun Seasoning
- ½ tbsp. Chili Powder
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 1½ cup Parmesan Cheese Shaved
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat.
- Add the diced onions, garlic, and saute for 1-2 minutes. Then add the sliced smoked sausages and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the tomatoes and cream cheese. Allow to heat for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Pasta, Broth and bring to a light boil. Cook pasta Al dente.
- Reduce heat and pour in the Heavy Cream, Add Spinach and Seasonings. Give a stir until well mixed. Cover with a lid to simmer for 15 minutes.
- Allow to cool down for 3-5 minutes. Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- Cream Cheese should be at room temperature before adding.
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