Experience Bold New Orleans Flavors with Our Easy One Pot Cajun Pasta
One Pot Cajun Pasta brings you the bold, spicy flavors of New Orleans and authentic Cajun cuisine in a remarkably simple one-pot dish. This recipe masterfully combines fresh vegetables, robust andouille sausage, and pasta, all simmered together in a rich, creamy, and irresistibly spicy sauce that you’ll want to savor with every bite. Don’t forget a generous slice of crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that amazing sauce!
Crafting the Perfect One Pot Cajun Pasta: A Culinary Inspiration
The culinary world of Cajun and Creole cooking is truly a treasure, brimming with vibrant spices, hearty ingredients, and an undeniable depth of flavor. This particular One Pot Cajun Pasta recipe was born from a delightful experience my husband and I shared at a Cajun Italian restaurant for my birthday this year. I had heard glowing reviews about their unique fusion cuisine and, as a devoted fan of both Italian comfort food and the exhilarating kick of Cajun spices, I knew I had to try it.
Our dinner that evening was nothing short of spectacular, delivering on every promise of rich, warm, and spicy flavors reminiscent of a true New Orleans experience. We indulged in a steaming bowl of classic spicy gumbo, a fresh salad elevated by a piquant dressing, innovative Cajun-inspired tacos, and, of course, a decadent slice of Mississippi mud pie to cap off the meal. The symphony of flavors, particularly the harmonious blend of robust spices and creamy textures, left a lasting impression, inspiring me to recreate that magic in my own kitchen.
Today’s One Pot Cajun Pasta is a direct homage to that memorable dinner. It captures all those warm, rich, and distinctly spicy flavors that transport you straight to the heart of Louisiana, offering an authentic taste of Cajun tradition with a convenient, modern twist. It’s an ideal way to bring the spirit of New Orleans cooking into your home without hours of complex preparation.
The Undeniable Convenience of One-Pot Meals
One of the greatest appeals of this particular pasta dish, beyond its incredible flavor, is its “one-pot” nature. Imagine preparing a full, satisfying meal with minimal fuss and, perhaps even more importantly, minimal cleanup afterwards. In today’s busy world, where time is a precious commodity, a recipe that delivers on both taste and efficiency is truly invaluable. The single-pot method not only saves you from a sink full of dishes but also allows all the ingredients to cook together, melding their flavors into a deeply cohesive and delicious sauce.
This One Pot Cajun Pasta recipe does involve a fair amount of chopping, as is common in many flavorful dishes. You’ll be dicing up a sweet onion, two vibrant bell peppers, and savory sausage. This step, while essential for building the dish’s flavor base, can often be a chore if you’re not equipped with the right tools. That’s where a high-quality, sharp set of knives truly shines, transforming meal preparation from a daunting task into an enjoyable and seamless experience.
I recently had the pleasure of trying my new set of Calphalon Self-Sharpening Cutlery, and it has been a game-changer for recipes like this. A quality set of sharp knives is not just a luxury; it’s a foundational element for efficient and safe cooking. I don’t know about you, but attempting to chop ingredients with dull knives can quickly turn meal prep into a frustrating nightmare, increasing the risk of slips and slowing down the entire process.
Innovation in the Kitchen: Calphalon Self-Sharpening Knives
The self-sharpening aspect of these Calphalon knives is quite ingenious, featuring what they call SharpIN Technology. This innovative system incorporates ceramic sharpeners directly into the slots of the stainless steel part of each storage block. What this means for you, the home cook, is that your knives are automatically sharpened with every single use. Each time a knife is removed from or returned to the block, it’s automatically honed at the correct angle, ensuring that you have a perfectly sharp blade, every single time! This eliminates the guesswork and the need for separate sharpening tools, making maintenance incredibly easy.
Beyond their clever sharpening mechanism, these knives are crafted from high-carbon, no-stain forged stainless steel, promising durability and resistance to corrosion. They boast full tang construction, meaning the blade extends through the entire length of the handle, providing superior balance and strength. Coupled with a comfortable triple-riveted handle, these knives offer excellent grip and control, which is paramount when dealing with extensive chopping, as required for our One Pot Cajun Pasta.
Mastering Knife Skills for Enhanced Cooking
It might surprise some, but there are actually entire classes dedicated solely to teaching proper knife skills. I personally attended one in Chicago at a local cooking school, and I learned an immense amount. Investing in even basic knife skill training can dramatically improve your cooking efficiency, safety, and enjoyment in the kitchen. While I often find myself falling back into old habits when trying to chop quickly, regular practice and quality tools help me stay on track. If you’re looking to refine your technique, I highly recommend checking out helpful resources like this video tutorial on how to cut bell peppers from Calphalon. These types of practical tutorials and expert tips can truly make meal preparation a breeze, turning tedious tasks into quick, confident cuts.
For this One Pot Cajun Pasta, you’ll be putting those knife skills (or your new sharp knives!) to excellent use. The recipe calls for a sweet onion, two vibrant bell peppers (feel free to use red, yellow, or orange for a colorful dish), and a pound of savory andouille sausage. Once all your ingredients are meticulously chopped and prepped, the cooking process is incredibly straightforward. You’ll begin by throwing everything—the chopped vegetables, sausage, and a generous blend of Old Bay and Cajun Seasoning—into a large pot. Sauté these aromatic ingredients over medium heat until the sausage is beautifully browned and the peppers and onion have softened to perfection, releasing their sweet and savory aromas.
Next, you’ll introduce the remaining components that form the heart of the creamy, spicy sauce. Add the chicken broth, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste for depth, a touch of cream for lusciousness, more Cajun seasoning to amplify the spice, and finally, the penne pasta. Bring this flavorful concoction to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 13-15 minutes. This simmering process allows the pasta to cook directly in the sauce, absorbing all those incredible Cajun flavors, resulting in a perfectly tender texture and a truly integrated dish. It’s truly as easy and satisfying as it sounds!
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One Pot Cajun Pasta
Julia Jolliff
One Pot Cajun Pasta brings you the bold, spicy flavors of New Orleans and Cajun cuisine in a one pot pasta dish.
Saved
Pin
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
8
servings
Ingredients
-
2
Tablespoons
olive oil -
1/2
sweet onion,
thinly sliced -
1
red bell pepper,
thinly sliced -
1
yellow bell pepper,
thinly sliced -
2
garlic ,
minced -
1
lb.
andouille sausage,
chopped -
3
teaspoons
Cajun seasoning -
1
teaspoon
Old Bay -
1
can
fire roasted diced tomatoes -
2
Tablespoons
tomato paste -
3
cups
chicken broth -
1/4
cup
cream -
8
oz.
penne pasta {,
or pasta of your choice} -
1/4
cup
parsley,
freshly chopped -
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, garlic, andouille sausage, 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, and 1 teaspoon Old Bay.
-
Sauté for about 8 minutes, until the sausage is browned and the peppers and onion are soft and fragrant.
-
Add the remaining 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, fire roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, 1/4 cup cream, and 8 oz. penne pasta. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
-
Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 13-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.
-
Stir in the freshly chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
-
Serve warm with crusty bread to soak up all those good juices and rich, creamy sauce!
Notes
- You can use any color bell pepper you would like.
- Add a jalapeño for even more spice.
- You can use regular diced tomatoes if you want. I like the fire roasted for the extra flavor.
- Use any pasta you would like. I tend to think penne and rigatoni work best due to their ability to hold the creamy sauce.
Nutrition
Calories:
381
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
29
g
,
Protein:
16
g
,
Fat:
22
g
,
Saturated Fat:
7
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
4
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
10
g
,
Trans Fat:
0.1
g
,
Cholesterol:
59
mg
,
Sodium:
906
mg
,
Potassium:
426
mg
,
Fiber:
2
g
,
Sugar:
5
g
,
Vitamin A:
1430
IU
,
Vitamin C:
51
mg
,
Calcium:
49
mg
,
Iron:
2
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Calphalon. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for my participation. As always, opinions are 100% my own! Thanks for supporting the brands that help me bring you quality content and delicious recipes.