Introduction

Remember those cozy nights in, where the kitchen was filled with the aroma of something absolutely delicious, and dinner was a breeze? This One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Sausage Pasta brings all those warm, fuzzy feelings right back to your table. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug in a bowl, and the best part? It’s incredibly simple to whip up, making it perfect for those busy evenings when you want something comforting without a mountain of dishes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, dinner is on the table in under 30 minutes!
Easy: One pot means minimal cleanup, which is a win in my book.
Giftable: Imagine bringing this warm, hearty pasta to a friend or neighbor who needs a little cheering up. They’ll thank you endlessly!
Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, everyone raves about this flavor-packed pasta.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to pasta perfection. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 (13 ounce) package Cajun-style chicken sausage, sliced: This is the star of the show! The smoky, spicy notes of Cajun sausage really elevate this dish.
1 tablespoon minced garlic: Because what’s a good pasta dish without a little garlic magic?
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies: This handy can brings a burst of flavor and a little kick.
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth: Our liquid base to cook the pasta and build our creamy sauce.
8 ounces bowtie pasta, dry: I love bowties because they hold onto the sauce so well, but feel free to use your favorite shape!
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste: This is where the Cajun magic truly happens. Add more if you love a bit of heat!
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese: For that irresistible cheesy goodness that makes everything better.
1/2 cup heavy cream: The secret to our luxuriously creamy sauce.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens with minimal effort.

Combine Everything (Almost!): Grab your largest pot – the one that feels like it can handle anything. Add the sliced chicken sausage, minced garlic, the entire can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, the chicken broth, your dry bowtie pasta, and the Cajun seasoning. Give it a quick stir to make sure everything is mingling nicely.
Bring to a Boil: Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. You want to see those bubbles!
Simmer to Perfection: Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, put a lid on the pot, and let it simmer. This is the crucial cooking time. Let it go for about 15-20 minutes. During this time, you’ll want to stir occasionally to make sure the pasta isn’t sticking to the bottom and that everything is cooking evenly. You’ll notice the liquid getting absorbed and the pasta becoming tender.
Get Creamy and Cheesy: Once the pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed, it’s time for the final touches. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and the heavy cream. Keep stirring gently until the cheese is completely melted and you have a luscious, creamy sauce coating every single piece of pasta and sausage. Oh, the aroma at this stage is divine!
Serve and Enjoy: Ladle this glorious pasta into bowls and serve it up immediately. It’s best enjoyed hot and fresh!

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling adventurous or need to make a quick swap? This recipe is super forgiving!

Sausage Swap: If Cajun chicken sausage isn’t your jam, you can totally use regular chicken sausage, kielbasa, or even andouille for an extra spicy kick.
Veggie Boost: Want to sneak in some greens? Stir in a handful of spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of simmering, or add some sautéed bell peppers and onions before you start cooking.
Spice Level: Not a fan of heat? Use a mild diced tomato product instead of Rotel, and be conservative with the Cajun seasoning. Love it fiery? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Cheese Please: While cheddar is fantastic, feel free to experiment with Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to ensure your pasta turns out perfectly every time!

Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Make sure your pot is large enough to hold everything comfortably. A pot that’s too small can lead to uneven cooking and sticking.
Stir, Stir, Stir: While it’s simmering, giving it a good stir every few minutes is key to preventing the pasta from clumping or sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Adjust Liquid if Needed: If after 15-20 minutes your pasta is still a bit too al dente and the liquid is all gone, don’t panic! You can always add a splash more chicken broth or even water to finish cooking.
Prep Ahead: You can slice your sausage and mince your garlic ahead of time to make assembly even quicker on a busy night. Store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge.

How to Store It

Leftovers? Lucky you! This pasta reheats beautifully.

Let the pasta cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you might want to add a splash of milk or a little extra chicken broth to loosen up the sauce, as it can thicken up in the fridge.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can assemble the ingredients (except the cheese and cream) in the pot and refrigerate them. When you’re ready to cook, just add the cheese and cream at the end as directed.

Is this recipe very spicy?

It has a mild to moderate kick from the Rotel and Cajun seasoning. You can easily adjust the spice level by using less seasoning or a milder diced tomato product if you prefer it less spicy.

What kind of pot should I use?

A large, deep pot or Dutch oven works best for this recipe, as it gives the pasta enough room to cook evenly and the sauce to develop.

Can I freeze this pasta?

While you can freeze it, the creamy sauce might separate a bit upon thawing. If you choose to freeze, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently, stirring well. Adding a little extra cream or broth when reheating can help restore the creaminess.

One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Sausage Pasta

A quick, easy, and flavorful one-pot pasta dish featuring Cajun chicken sausage, Rotel tomatoes, and a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Large pot A large, deep pot or Dutch oven is recommended.

Ingredients

Main ingredients

13 ounce Cajun-style chicken sausage, sliced The star of the show! Smoky, spicy notes.
1 tablespoon minced garlic For garlic magic.
1 can (10 ounce) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies Brings flavor and a little kick.
1 can (14.5 ounce) chicken broth Liquid base for cooking pasta and building the sauce.
8 ounces bowtie pasta, dry Holds sauce well, but other shapes work too.
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning Adjust to taste, more for extra heat.
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese For irresistible cheesy goodness.
0.5 cup heavy cream The secret to the creamy sauce.

Instructions

Combine the sliced chicken sausage, minced garlic, the entire can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, chicken broth, dry bowtie pasta, and Cajun seasoning in a large pot. Stir to combine.
Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and heavy cream until the cheese is melted and a creamy sauce forms.
Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is fast, easy, and crowd-pleasing. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated with a splash of milk or chicken broth. The spice level can be adjusted by modifying the Cajun seasoning and Rotel used.