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Creamy Cajun Alfredo Pasta Sauce | Spicy Weeknight Dinner

Cajun Alfredo Sauce

A spicy cream pasta sauce made with butter, garlic, heavy cream and Cajun seasoning, ready in about 25 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 610
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 ounces smoked beef sausage sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces fettuccine pasta cooked
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

  1. Melt the butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until it foams slightly. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly so it doesn't brown.
  2. Brown the sausage: Add the sliced sausage to the skillet and cook until golden on the edges, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage and set it aside on a plate.
  3. Add the cream and broth: Pour the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, stirring to combine with the browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
  4. Season the sauce: Stir in the Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring often, so the flavors blend into the cream.
  5. Melt in the parmesan: Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the parmesan cheese a little at a time. Keep whisking until the sauce is smooth and coats the back of a spoon, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  6. Return the sausage: Add the browned sausage back into the skillet and simmer for 2 more minutes so it warms through and picks up the sauce flavor.
  7. Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the fettuccine in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
  8. Toss and finish: Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet and toss until every strand is coated, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.