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To make One Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta, gather these key items: - 12 oz penne pasta - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 onion, finely chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced - 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) - 4 cups vegetable broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup frozen peas - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) These ingredients create a rich and flavorful dish. Make sure to use fresh items for the best taste. You can boost the flavor with some extras: - 1 teaspoon lemon juice for brightness - 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled sausage for heartiness - A splash of hot sauce for a kick - Fresh herbs like thyme or basil for aroma These additions make your dish stand out even more. If you need to swap out ingredients, consider these options: - Use any pasta shape you like, such as fusilli or farfalle. - Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter dish. - If you lack vegetable broth, chicken broth works too. - For a cheese alternative, try nutritional yeast for a vegan option. These swaps help you adapt the recipe to what you have on hand. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by heating one tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add one finely chopped onion. Cook this for about five minutes until it turns soft and clear. Next, add three minced garlic cloves and one diced bell pepper. Stir and cook for two to three minutes. The pepper should be tender. Now, it's time to add some flavor! Sprinkle in one teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, half a teaspoon of smoked paprika, and a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Mix well and let it cook for one more minute. Now, add twelve ounces of penne pasta to the pot. Pour in four cups of vegetable broth and give it a good stir. Bring the pot to a boil. Once it’s boiling, turn down the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about twelve to fifteen minutes. Stir occasionally. You want the pasta to be firm yet cooked, and most of the broth should be gone. Lower the heat to low. Pour in one cup of heavy cream, one cup of frozen peas, and one cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until it looks creamy and well combined. Taste your dish and add salt and pepper if needed. Cook for another two minutes to warm the peas. Finally, take it off the heat and let it sit for a minute. Don’t forget to sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley on top before serving! To make your pasta creamy, start with heavy cream. Use one cup in your recipe. This gives a rich texture. Stir it in at low heat after cooking the pasta. Add the grated Parmesan cheese next. This cheese melts well and helps create a smooth sauce. If you want extra creaminess, add more cheese. You can also try a little butter for added richness. When cooking pasta in one pot, use enough liquid. For this recipe, you need four cups of vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil first. This helps the pasta cook evenly. Stir the pasta often to prevent sticking. Cover the pot while it simmers. This keeps steam inside, cooking the pasta well. Always check for doneness a minute or two before the time ends. You want it al dente, not mushy. To control the spice in your dish, start with less cayenne pepper. This recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon, but you can use less. Taste the dish as you cook. You can always add more spice later. If it gets too spicy, add a little extra cream or cheese to balance it out. Remember, Cajun seasoning packs flavor, so a little goes a long way! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and high-quality pasta will enhance the overall flavor of your dish. Adjust the Spice Level: Feel free to modify the amount of cayenne pepper based on your heat preference. Let it Rest: Allowing the pasta to sit for a minute after cooking helps thicken the sauce and improves the texture. Experiment with Proteins: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage for a heartier dish that packs even more flavor. {{image_2}} You can easily add protein to your One Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta. Chicken, shrimp, or tofu all work well. For chicken, cut it into small pieces. Sauté it with the onion in step one. For shrimp, add it in the last few minutes of cooking. This way, they cook quickly without getting tough. If you prefer tofu, use firm tofu. Cut it into cubes and sauté it along with the vegetables. This adds flavor and texture. If you want a vegetarian or vegan dish, swap out the heavy cream. Use coconut milk or cashew cream instead. This keeps the dish creamy while being plant-based. For cheese, you can use a nutritional yeast blend or vegan cheese. These options add a cheesy flavor without dairy. Don’t forget to check your vegetable broth to ensure it’s vegan. This way, you can enjoy the robust flavors without any animal products. Feel free to get creative with vegetables in this recipe. Zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms add different tastes and textures. You can add them in step two with the bell pepper. Another great option is cherry tomatoes; they add sweetness. Just halve them and toss them in while the pasta cooks. This dish is all about personal taste, so use what you love. Mixing different veggies keeps the dish fresh and exciting! To store leftovers, let the pasta cool down first. Then, place it in an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. This helps keep the pasta fresh and tasty. When you are ready to eat your leftovers, reheat gently. You can use a microwave or a pot on the stove. If using the stove, add a splash of vegetable broth or cream. This will help keep it creamy and moist. If you want to store the pasta longer, freezing is a great option. Place the cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container. Be sure to leave some space for expansion. You can freeze it for up to three months. To enjoy it later, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Yes, you can use other pasta shapes. Bowtie, fusilli, or spaghetti work well. Just keep the cooking time in mind. Thinner pasta may cook faster, while thicker pasta may need more time. Always check for doneness. To add more heat, increase the cayenne pepper. You can also use hot sauce. Another option is to add sliced jalapeños or chili flakes. Taste as you go to find your perfect spice level. This dish pairs well with a simple green salad. Garlic bread or crusty baguette also complements it nicely. For a heartier meal, serve it with grilled chicken or shrimp. Yes, you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta. Check the package for cooking times, as they may differ. Make sure the vegetable broth is also gluten-free to keep the dish safe. To sum up, this blog post covers everything you need for One Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta. We talked about key ingredients and options to make it tasty. I shared step-by-step instructions and expert tips to ensure a creamy texture. Plus, you learned how to add protein and variations to suit your taste. Remember, storing leftovers properly keeps your meal fresh. Now it's time to experiment and enjoy your delicious creation!

One Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta

A delicious and creamy pasta dish with a kick of Cajun spices, all made in one pot for easy cleanup.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 unit onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 unit bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and diced bell pepper. Sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until the bell pepper is tender.
  • Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, mixing well to coat the vegetables, cooking for another minute to release the flavors.
  • Add the penne pasta to the pot, followed by the vegetable broth. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.
  • Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, frozen peas, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until everything is combined and creamy.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow to cook for another 2 minutes for the peas to heat through.
  • Remove from heat and let it sit for a minute. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Serve in deep pasta bowls and sprinkle extra Parmesan and parsley on top for a vibrant look. Optionally, add a drizzle of olive oil for extra shine.
Keyword Cajun, creamy, one pot, pasta, vegetarian