Description
A hearty and flavorful meal featuring creamy sauce, smoked sausage, and bowtie pasta, ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 lb smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced into rounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or green onion, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until it is deeply golden and crispy on both sides. Once done, transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the olive oil and butter. Once melted, toss in the chopped onion and diced bell pepper. Sauté until they are softened and lightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Cook for an additional minute until the mixture is fragrant.
- Combine Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices) and chicken broth. Use a spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan; this adds flavor to the dish.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low, then stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate Cream Cheese: Whisk in the cream cheese until it is melted and the sauce is smooth. Then, gradually stir in the shredded cheese, mixing until the sauce is creamy and thick.
- Mix in Pasta and Sausage: Return the browned sausage and the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the Cajun cream sauce.
- Season and Serve: Taste the dish and season with salt and black pepper as needed. If you want more heat, feel free to adjust the Cajun seasoning. Finally, top with fresh parsley or green onion for garnish before serving hot.
Notes
Ensure the cream cheese is softened for a smooth sauce. Adjust the Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg