Description
Smoked Sausage Cajun Alfredo is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender fettuccine tossed in a rich Alfredo sauce with spicy Cajun seasoning and smoky sausage pieces. This dish offers a delightful twist on classic Alfredo with a hearty, slightly spicy kick, perfect for a comforting meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces fettuccine
- 1 ring (13.5 ounces) smoked sausage, cut into ¼-inch pieces
- 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
- Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes, or according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the smoked sausage pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the sausage and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, then add Cajun seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 6-8 minutes, or until it begins to thicken.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Toss Pasta and Sausage: Add the cooked fettuccine and sausage back into the skillet. Toss everything together to coat evenly in the creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish for a fresh finish and serve immediately.
Notes
- This dish offers a creamy, spicy twist on classic Alfredo with a smoky sausage addition.
- Ready in about 30 minutes, making it a great option for a quick weeknight meal.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level to your preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 643 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 27 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
