Creamy Garlic Butter Cajun Sausage Penne
A flavorful and protein-packed creamy pasta dish featuring Cajun sausage, garlic butter, and a rich sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Protein-rich
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Penne Pasta
- 12 oz Cajun Sausage
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Optional herbs (like parsley or basil)
Instructions
- Cook the Penne Pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Sauté the Cajun sausage in melted butter over medium heat until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens.
- Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted.
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional herbs to taste.
- Combine the drained penne with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed for creaminess.
- Plate and enjoy, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with a plant-based cheese alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pasta, creamy sauce, Cajun, sausage, weeknight meal