Description
Smoked Sausage Cajun Alfredo is a creamy and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender fettuccine tossed in a rich Cajun-spiced Alfredo sauce with smoky sausage slices. This comforting meal balances the richness of heavy cream and parmesan with the spicy kick from Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes, garnished with fresh parsley for a bright finish. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that combines Southern-inspired flavors with classic Italian comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine
Sausage
- 1 ring (13.5 ounces) smoked sausage, cut into ¼-inch pieces
Sauce
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (476 g) heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup (100 g) parmesan cheese, grated
Garnish
- Parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the fettuccine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the smoked sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the smoked sausage pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown. Remove the sausage and keep warm by tenting with foil.
- Melt butter and sauté garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning and to release aromatic flavors.
- Prepare the Cajun Alfredo sauce: Pour in the heavy cream. Add the Cajun seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine the ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring occasionally.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 6-8 minutes, stirring regularly until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Add parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until it completely melts into the sauce, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
- Toss pasta and sausage: Return the cooked fettuccine and browned sausage to the skillet. Toss everything thoroughly to coat the pasta and sausage evenly with the creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for a fresh, herbal note. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- This dish offers a quick and delicious twist on traditional Alfredo with the added smoky, spicy flavors from smoked sausage and Cajun seasoning.
- Cook time is approximately 30 minutes, making it ideal for a comforting weeknight meal.
- You can adjust the spiciness by modifying the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, but the sauce may be less rich and thick.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 643 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 26 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
