Cajun Sausage Spaghetti: A Bold Twist on a Classic
This Cajun Sausage Spaghetti is made with smoky andouille sausage, tender pasta, and a rich, creamy sauce with just the right kick of spicy Cajun heat. This easy weeknight meal is big on flavor and ready to eat in under 30 minutes!
Recipe Timeline
- sear sliced sausage in olive oil then remove from pot - 10 minutes.
- add onion and bell pepper, cook until soft - 10 minutes.
- add broth, seasonings, spaghetti, and sausage - cook 10 minutes. Stir in cream cheese.
If you love bold Cajun flavors, don’t miss my Cajun Crawfish Étouffée —it’s a quick stovetop classic that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]Reasons to Love Cajun Sausage Spaghetti
This one-pot Cajun sausage spaghetti is a lifesaver on busy nights. It’s rich and creamy , perfectly spicy , and filled with bold, smoky flavor from andouille sausage . The best part? Everything cooks in one pot—including the pasta—so cleanup is a breeze. It’s ready in about 30 minutes, but tastes like you put some real love into it.
Ingredient List with Photo and Notes
- Andouille sausage – This smoky, spicy sausage brings the heart of Cajun flavor. Look for "made in Louisiana" if you can find it!
- Yellow onion + bell peppers – Red and green peppers add sweetness and color. Julienne them so they'll twist around on your fork with the spaghetti!
- Minced garlic – Fresh is best, but I use the jarred minced garlic most of the time.
- Cajun seasoning – Use your favorite blend. If it's salt-heavy, go easy on adding extra salt. I love Tony Chachere's and NuNu's ...both have a unique flavor, but Tony's seems to be a less spicy in my opinion.
- Thin spaghetti – Cooks quickly and soaks up all that creamy flavor.
- Cream cheese – Just 3 oz of cream cheese is all it takes to make the sauce a little more creamy and smooth—it melts right in and clings to the pasta in the best way.
Want more creamy pasta dinners with a Southern twist? Check out my Blackened Chicken Alfredo —it’s rich, spicy, and perfect for date night or Sunday supper.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pasta – Thin spaghetti works best, but angel hair or regular spaghetti will do. Just watch the cook time.
- Bell peppers – Any color will work, so use what you’ve got.
- Cream cheese – Neufchâtel works too. Greek yogurt is okay in a pinch, but it won’t be as smooth and might add a yogurt-twang to the flavor.
- Heavy cream will work if you're needing a reason to use it up, but it won’t thicken up the same way. The cream cheese gives the sauce a velvety texture that clings to the pasta.
- Broth – Chicken broth adds flavor, but water with a bouillon cube or veggie broth works fine.
Recipe Variations
- Add protein – Toss in cooked shrimp at the end for a Cajun surf 'n turf twist.
- Add more veggies – Finely diced veggies like zucchini or mushrooms blend right in with the sauce and sausage. Add about ½ cup whole kernel corn for a sweet crunch.
- Extra creamy – Stir in a splash of half-and-half or a handful of shredded cheddar if you want it even richer.
- Make it mild – Use kielbasa or smoked sausage instead of andouille if you're serving folks who don’t like too much heat.
How to Make Cajun Sausage Spaghetti (with Photos)
Step 1 . Brown sausage in a pot, then remove it from the pot and set aside.
Step 2 . Saute onions and peppers until soft.
Step 3 . Return sausage to the pot and add broth, seasonings, and spaghetti.
Step 4 . Cover and cook 10 minutes. Stir in the cream cheese. Eat and be happy!
Recipe Tips
- Slice the sausage thin so it gets those crispy edges when browned. That’s where the flavor’s at.
- Stir the pasta halfway through to keep it from sticking and to make sure everything cooks evenly.
- Cut cream cheese into cubes so it melts faster and blends in smoothly.
- Use a pot with a tight-fitting lid so the pasta cooks up perfectly with no peeking.
- Let it rest a few minutes before serving —the sauce thickens a bit as it cools and coats the pasta better.
For another easy one-pot wonder, you’ll love my One Pot Mexican Spaghetti , it’s cheesy, zesty, and kid-friendly too.
Easy Meal Plan
This creamy Cajun Sausage Spaghetti is hearty enough to stand on its own, but here are a few easy ways to round out the meal:
- With a slice of garlic bread or French bread – You’ll wanna mop up every last drop of that creamy sauce!
- Add a crisp green salad – Something light with a tangy vinaigrette balances out the richness. Try a simple mix of spring greens, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Serve with Southern-style green beans – Cooked down with a little bacon or tasso for that home-cooked flavor.
- Top it with green onions or a sprinkle of Parmesan – Not traditional, but it adds a nice fresh or salty bite.
Hosting a crowd? Serve it buffet-style with bread on the side and let folks help themselves. It holds up well and stays creamy for a while—perfect for casual gatherings.
Serve it up with a side of Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya if you’re feeding a larger crowd or want a true Louisiana-style dinner spread. It's a one pot meal, too!
How to Repurpose Leftovers
Don’t let a single bite go to waste—this Cajun Sausage Spaghetti is just as good (if not better) the next day. Here are a few easy ways to turn leftovers into a whole new meal:
- Cajun Pasta Bake – Spread leftovers in an oven-safe dish, top with shredded cheese, and bake at 375°F until bubbly and golden on top. You could even add a few extra spoonfuls of cream or broth if it needs loosening up.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers – Scoop cold leftovers into halved bell peppers (blanch first for softer peppers), top with cheese, and bake until the filling is heated through.
- Creamy Cajun Quesadillas – Chop up the leftovers, sprinkle them into a tortilla with cheese, fold, and crisp it up in a skillet for a spicy, melty twist.
- Savory Breakfast Bowl – Reheat the pasta and top with a fried or poached egg for a spicy, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast or brunch.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container (like these Bayco glass containers ) in the fridge for up to 3 days . When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and warm it up gently over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Stir halfway through so it stays creamy and doesn’t dry out.
Love these low-fuss meals? Be sure to save my One Pot Chicken and Rice recipe for another busy weeknight—it’s cozy, comforting, and just as simple.
Common Questions about Cajun Sausage Spaghetti
Yes! Just keep in mind it may take a few extra minutes to cook, and you might need to add a splash more broth if the pot looks too dry before the pasta is done.
It’s got a good Cajun kick, but it’s not overwhelming. If you're sensitive to heat, use a mild Cajun seasoning and swap andouille for a milder sausage.
You sure can! It reheats beautifully and the flavors get even better the next day.
More Delicious Cajun Meal Ideas
-
Cajun Butter Chicken -
Easy Cajun Red Beans and Rice -
Easy Cajun Rice Dressing -
Fried Green Tomatoes with Shrimp Cajun Sauce
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Recipe
Cajun Sausage Spaghetti
Equipment
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5 qt pot
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measuring cup(s)
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measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 14 oz smoked Andouille sausage, cut into ¼-inch disks
- 1 cup yellow onion, julienned about a medium size onion
- 1 cup red bell pepper, julienned about a medium size bell pepper
- 1 cup green bell pepper, julienned about a medium size bell pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic (in the jar)
- ¼ teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning (I use Tony Chachere's)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 oz thin spaghetti, broken in half
- 3 oz cream cheese, cut into several chunks
- fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
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In a heavy 5 qt pot or dutch oven , add the olive oil and cut up sausage. On medium-high to high heat, brown both sides of the sausage until they're browned and crisp.
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Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside. Add the onion and bell pepper strips to the pot (there should be enough oil in the pot but if it's not, add a little more olive oil). Stir the mixture, cover the pot, and simmer over medium heat until soft and slightly browned; stirring occasionally (about 5-10 minutes; it depends on your pot and stove as to how long this will take).
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Add the broth, seasonings, and spaghetti. Stir well to combine, then add the sausage back to the pot. Stir and then press down on the mixture to make sure the spaghetti noodles are covered with liquid. You can do a taste test at this point. The liquid should be spicy and have enough salt already, but always adjust to your liking.
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Bring the mixture just to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. The mixture should be simmering but not a rolling boil .
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Remove the lid, quickly stir to make sure the noodles aren't sticking together, Press them down to make sure they're covered with liquid, put the lid back on, and simmer for another 5 minutes. The spaghetti should be cooked al dente .
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Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and blended in.
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Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve with French bread.
Notes
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- Slice the sausage thin so it gets those crispy edges when browned. That’s where the flavor’s at.
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- Stir the pasta halfway through to keep it from sticking and to make sure everything cooks evenly.
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- Cut cream cheese into cubes so it melts faster and blends in smoothly.
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- Use a pot with a tight-fitting lid so the pasta cooks up perfectly with no peeking.
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- Let it rest a few minutes before serving —the sauce thickens a bit as it cools and coats the pasta better.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
The post Cajun Sausage Spaghetti appeared first on My Kitchen Serenity .
