Creamy Cajun Pasta with Roasted Peppers (Printable)

A comforting Cajun-spiced pasta dish with roasted peppers and creamy sauce. Ready in 40 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 large red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, and sliced
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
11 - 1/4 cup vegetable broth
12 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
14 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese for serving

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika, cooking for 30 seconds to release the flavors.
04 - Add roasted bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes. Pour in heavy cream and vegetable broth, stirring to combine.
05 - Simmer the sauce for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
06 - If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until reaching desired consistency.
07 - Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce until well coated. Heat gently for 1 to 2 minutes.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The roasted bell peppers add natural sweetness that tames the spice without dulling it.
  • It comes together in under an hour, yet tastes like you simmered it all day.
  • The creamy sauce clings to every piece of pasta, so each bite is rich and satisfying.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on your mood or who's at the table.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving pasta water; it's the only thing that will loosen a too-thick sauce without breaking it.
  • Roast your own peppers if you have time; the flavor is sweeter and smokier than anything from a jar.
  • Taste your Cajun seasoning before you add it; some blends are fiery, others are mild, and you need to know which you're working with.
03 -
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan and add it off the heat so it melts smoothly without clumping.
  • If you want more heat, add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes when you bloom the spices.
  • Don't overcook the pasta; it finishes cooking in the sauce, and you want it to hold its shape.
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