Spicy Fireside Cajun Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 13 oz andouille sausage links (sliced into medallions)
• 2 jalapeno peppers (seeds removed and thinly sliced)
• 6 oz white mushrooms (cleaned and thinly sliced)
• 1 orange bell pepper (stemmed, seeds removed and thinly sliced)
• 4 cloves garlic (large cloves, minced)
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 0.5 cup fire-roasted tomatoes (diced)
• 3.5 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade (paprika, salt, garlic powder, peppers, onion powder, oregano, cayenne, and thyme))
• 8 oz cream cheese (cut into 4 chunks)
• 3 tbsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup cheese (Drunken Goat cheese recommended)

Steps

1. 1

   Pour the olive oil into a large cooking pot over a medium heat cooking fire or stove.

2. 2

   After the oil has warmed, add in your sliced andouille sausage and sear on both sides for 4 minutes. Once seared, set the sausage aside on a paper plate.

3. 3

   Keep the sausage oil in the pot and add in your sliced jalapenos, mushrooms, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

4. 4

   Add the penne pasta, fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, and cajun seasoning to the pot. Stir well to combine.

5. 5

   Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.

6. 6

   Turn the heat down to low-medium and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring a few times, until the pasta is al dente and the liquid has mostly absorbed.

7. 7

   Add the cream cheese chunk by chunk, stirring between each addition until fully incorporated.

8. 8

   Once the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy, throw the seared sausage back into the pot and stir to combine.

9. 9

   Top the dish with a hearty pinch of cheese and the red pepper flakes, then serve immediately.

Notes

The cream cheese balances the spiciness of the jalapenos and cajun seasoning. If you prefer more heat, add more peppers or reduce the amount of cream cheese. This dish makes for excellent leftovers.

Nutrition per serving

• main course
• pasta
• spicy
• cajun
• sausage
• one-pot
• fantasy-inspired
• dnd