A flavorful and easy one-pot meal featuring spicy chicken sausage, creamy Cajun-seasoned sauce, and tender pasta all cooked together for a quick and satisfying dinner.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound chicken sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces penne pasta
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the sliced chicken sausage to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add diced green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
Add minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt to the vegetables. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
Add the penne pasta to the skillet, making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet and stir to combine.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta and stir until melted and creamy.
Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.