Need a quick and easy dinner tonight everyone in your house will love? Look no further than this Instant Pot Cajun Pasta with sausage! Packed with flavor, creamy sauce and delicious sausage.
Our family loves recipes in the Instant Pot, but this recipe has been by far one of our families go-to recipes. It’s so delicious and creamy and with a little kick.
The dish turned out so flavorful and creamy. It was gone the same day in our house!
Like many of our other Instant Pot recipes (if you haven’t tried the Instant Pot Monkey Bread, it’s also a must!), it can be modified to your or your families liking. For example, if you’d prefer your Instant Pot Cajun Pasta to be made with penne as opposed to bow-tie, go for it! Prefer chicken over sausage? Go for it! It’s also really delicious with shrimp.
Below, we’re sharing our tips, key ingredients and suggestions on how to make this the best Instant Pot Cajun Pasta you’ll make this week. If you make it, be sure to share online and tag us! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
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If you’re looking for a few other Instant Pot recipes to try this week, here are a few of my favorites:
- Instant Pot Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup
- Instant Pot 5 Cheese Mac & Cheese Topped With Maple Bacon
- Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
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OUR FAVORITE INSTANT POT ACCESSORIES
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TIPS FOR MAKING INSTANT POT CAJUN PASTA
- When cooking pasta in the Instant Pot, feel free to modify the pasta from the recipe. Regardless of which pasta you choose, be sure to follow the cooking times indicated on the box of your pasta choice. Whatever the box says- cut it in half and subtract 2 minutes. For example, if the box says to cook for 10 minutes, you will cut that in half (5) and subtract 2. All together you would cook for 3 minutes.
- I mention it below, but it’s worth repeating. If for some reason the pasta initially looks watery or soupy, add all of the ingredients as the liquid will continue to thicken. Also, continue to allow it to sit for a few minutes on warm, about 5 minutes, allowing the ingredients and liquid to continue to thicken further.
- This recipe is really versatile. You can easily add in other ingredients to make it even more delicious. For example, I have added shrimp and chicken as opposed to Italian sausage. It’s also fabulous with the addition of roasted red tomatoes and kale. The sky is the limit!
- The recipe can be doubled by doubling up on the ingredients. If you do double, to say 1 full pound of pasta for example, I would recommend only using 3 cups of water or chicken broth – max.
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INGREDIENTS FOR CAJUN PASTA DISH
SERVES 4 – You can double if you like. No need to double the cooking time. If you do double, I would recommend only using 3 cups of chicken broth or water.
- 1 small red pepper, chopped
- 1 small yellow pepper, chopped
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth or water
- 1/2 pound of pasta shells (I used Farfalle pasta)
- 1/2 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 of 4 Italian sausage links from a 14 ounce package, cut into quarter inch round slices (you can also use ground Italian or Turkey sausage)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (you can also use avocado oil and it will not impact the flavor)
- 1/2 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT CAJUN PASTA
- Turn Instant Pot on and select the ‘Saute’ function on high
- When warm, add olive oil and sausage. When adding the sausage, try to evenly distribute the sausage rounds in the pan. Stir and flip pieces regularly to ensure they do not stick to the bottom of your Instant Pot. Cook on Saute until 50% done.
- Once you feel the sausage is 50% cook, add peppers and garlic. Continue to cook until browned and peppers and onion are softened.
- Press ‘Cancel’ to turn off Instant Pot and reset cooking function.
- Add chicken broth or water and pasta shells.
- Try to cover pasta with chicken broth by pushing pasta down in pot- DO NOT STIR.
- Close the Instant Pot with the lid and move valve to “seal” position.
- Cook on manual high for time associated with the pasta that you are using. Calculate cook time based on pasta of your choice. Look at the box and take the suggested cooking time and cut it in half and subtract 2 minutes. If the box says 10 minutes, cut it in half (5 minutes) and subtract 2. So your total cook time will be 3 minutes. For reference, I cooked this recipe for 6 minutes. If for some reason you find your pasta is still not cooked, you can add the lid back on pressure cook for 0-1 minutes.
- When timer beeps, quick release pressure. If a substantial amount of liquid sprays out of the valve, quickly move valve back to seal and wait a minute or 2 and then move valve back to release.
- Remove the lid and add in cajun seasoning, garlic pepper, salt, Italian seasoning, half and half and Parmesan cheeses – along with any additional spices for flavor. NOTE: The pasta may look a tad soupy when you first open the lid and stir in the ingredients. If so, continue to stir on the on the warming function. The ingredients will continue to thicken, about 5-6 minutes.
- STIR!! This is when creamy goodness magic happens. Stir everything together until it is well combined.
- Garnish with just a bit of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta
SERVES/MAKES: 4 people
Ingredients:
- 1 small red pepper, chopped
- 1 small yellow pepper, chopped
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth or water
- 1/2 pound pasta shells (I used Farfalle pasta)
- 1/2 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 to 4 Italian sausage links from a 14 ounce package, cut into quarter inch rounds
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup half and half or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- Turn Instant Pot on and select the 'Saute' function on high.
- When warm, add olive oil and sausage. When adding the sausage, try to evenly distribute the sausage rounds in the pan. Stir and flip pieces regularly to ensure they do not stick to the bottom of your Instant Pot. Cook on Saute until 50% done.
- Once you feel the sausage is 50% cook, add peppers and garlic. Continue to cook until browned and peppers and onion are softened.
- Press 'Cancel' to turn off Instant Pot and reset cooking function.
- Add chicken broth or water and pasta shells.
- Try to cover pasta with chicken broth by pushing pasta down in pot - DO NOT STIR.
- Close the Instant Pot with the lid and move valve to “seal” position.
- Cook on manual high for time associated with the pasta that you are using. Calculate cook time based on pasta of your choice. Look at the box and take the suggested cooking time and cut it in half and subtract 2 minutes. If the box says 10 minutes, cut it in half (5 minutes) and subtract 2. So your total cook time will be 3 minutes. For reference, I cooked this recipe for 6 minutes. If for some reason you find your pasta is still not cooked, you can add the lid back on pressure cook for 0-1 minutes.
- When timer beeps, quick release pressure. If a substantial amount of liquid sprays out of the valve, quickly move valve back to seal and wait a minute or 2 and then move valve back to release.
- Remove the lid and add in cajun seasoning, garlic pepper, salt, Italian seasoning, half and half and Parmesan cheeses - along with any additional spices for flavor. NOTE: The pasta may look a tad soupy when you first open the lid and stir in the ingredients. If so, continue to stir on the on the warming function. The ingredients will continue to thicken, about 5-6 minutes.
- STIR!! This is when creamy goodness magic happens. Stir everything together until it is well combined.
- Garnish with just a bit of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
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