Name: Cheap Cajun Sausage Pasta With Peppers Under $10
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Box of Penne or Rotini pasta ($1.00); 12 oz Smoked Sausage or Kielbasa, sliced into rounds ($3.50); 2 Bell Peppers (any color), sliced into thin strips ($1.50); 1 Medium Yellow Onion, thinly sliced ($0.50); 3 cloves Garlic, minced ($0.25); 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning ($0.25); 1 cup Heavy Cream or Half & Half ($1.50); 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil or Butter ($0.10); Optional: Sliced green onions or dried parsley for garnish

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb Box of Penne or Rotini pasta ($1.00)
12 oz Smoked Sausage or Kielbasa, sliced into rounds ($3.50)
2 Bell Peppers (any color), sliced into thin strips ($1.50)
1 Medium Yellow Onion, thinly sliced ($0.50)
3 cloves Garlic, minced ($0.25)
2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning ($0.25)
1 cup Heavy Cream or Half & Half ($1.50)
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil or Butter ($0.10)
Optional: Sliced green onions or dried parsley for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the Pasta – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches “al dente” texture. Before draining, carefully scoop out about half a cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 2: Sear the Sausage – While the pasta boils, heat the vegetable oil or butter in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage rounds in a single layer. Sear them for 3-4 minutes until they develop a dark, crispy brown crust on both sides. This browning process releases the fats and spices that will form the base of your sauce.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics and Peppers – Lower the heat to medium and add the sliced onions and bell peppers directly into the pan with the sausage. Sauté for about 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are soft and the onions are translucent. Add the minced garlic and the Cajun seasoning. Stir constantly for 1 minute until the spices become fragrant and coat the vegetables evenly.
Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce – Pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring gently to scrape up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly. If the sauce looks too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
Step 5: Combine and Finish – Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce and sausage. Toss everything together using tongs or a large spoon until every piece of pasta is coated in the creamy Cajun sauce. Taste and add a pinch of salt or more Cajun spice if you want more heat. Serve immediately while hot.

Cook Time: 30 minutes