Cajun Sausage Pasta

Step 1

PREP: Dice onion, mince garlic, remove the stems and seeds and then thinly slice the bell peppers. Slice the sausage into thin coins.

Step 2

SAUSAGE: Place a large cast iron skillet/pot (big enough to hold all the pasta later) over medium-high heat. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon oil. Once oil is hot, add coined sausage. Let sear, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a large bowl, leaving the oil behind. Set aside for now.

Step 3

VEGGIES: Add another tablespoon olive oil to the pan along with the diced onion. Stir for 1 minute then add in the sliced peppers and mushrooms. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until veggies are crisp-tender, about 6-8 minutes. (Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil if needed.) Add 1 tablespoon garlic and sauté for one minute. Add the sautéed veggies to the bowl of sausage.

Step 4

PASTA: Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to package directions subtracting 1 minute from time indicated on package. Be sure to generously salt the boiling water (I add 1 tsp salt for every 4 cups of water).

Step 5

CREAM SAUCE: In the same pan veggies were cooked in, reduce heat to medium and add in the butter. Once melted, sprinkle flour on top and briskly whisk until mixture forms a dough. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute. Very gradually pour in 1/2 the chicken broth while whisking constantly until mixture forms a thick sauce. Gradually add in remaining chicken broth and milk, 1/2 cup at a time, while whisking briskly and constantly.

Step 6

CREAM SAUCE, CONT.: Increase high to high. Bring sauce to a boil, stirring frequently so the sauce doesn't stick; then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer until sauce is nicely thickened. (Sauce should be thick enough that you can draw a path across the back of a spoon and it stays, about 5-8 minutes.) Meanwhile, melt cream cheese in the microwave until very soft. Add to sauce along with the cajun seasoning (to taste/spice preference; not all cajun seasonings deliver the same heat), oregano, paprika, salt & pepper (to taste). Whisk briskly until combined.

Step 7

COMBINE: Remove cream sauce from heat. Stir in cooked and drained pasta and the sausage and veggies (plus any accumulated liquid left behind in bowl). Use two spoons to toss everything generously until nicely coated. Gradually add in Parmesan cheese, adding a few tablespoons at a time until nicely integrated. Taste and adjust seasonings/salt to personal preference. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve immediately. If desired, grate a touch more cheese atop individual bowls with a microplane.