Description
A creamy, spicy, and comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring smoked sausage, rigatoni, and a rich cheese sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this budget-friendly meal comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced into half-moons
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2–3 stalks green onions, sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas, 2 cups spinach, or 1 diced bell pepper
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Slice sausage, dice onion, mince garlic, grate cheese, and measure Cajun seasoning.
- Heat butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned and slightly crispy. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- In the same pot, add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and Cajun seasoning, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add rigatoni, chicken broth, and the cooked sausage (with juices) to the pot. Stir to scrape up browned bits from the bottom.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Top with green onions and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not skip browning the sausage for added flavor. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Add cheese on low heat to prevent graininess. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or broth. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content; store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: one-pot pasta, creamy sausage rigatoni, cajun recipe, weeknight dinner, easy pasta, budget-friendly meals, family dinner