If you want a pasta dinner that is creamy, spicy, colorful, and packed with vegetables, Cajun Vegetable Pasta is a great choice. It combines tender pasta with sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and spinach in a rich Cajun-seasoned sauce.
The Cajun seasoning brings a smoky, slightly spicy kick, while the creamy sauce balances everything out. Best of all, this is a one-pan-style weeknight meal that comes together in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 250 g penne or fusilli pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 150 g mushrooms, sliced
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup baby spinach
For the Cajun Sauce
- 1½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes, optional
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For Garnishing
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan
- A pinch of Cajun seasoning
- Chili flakes, optional
How to Make Cajun Vegetable Pasta
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the sliced onion and bell peppers. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the mushrooms and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until they become tender and lightly browned.
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Add the Cajun Seasoning
Lower the heat slightly and add the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and chili flakes.
Stir everything together for about 30 seconds.
The spices will coat the vegetables and release their aroma.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the vegetable broth and heavy cream.
Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted into the sauce.
Season with black pepper and a little salt if needed.
Be careful with the salt because Cajun seasoning and Parmesan can already be salty.
5. Add the Spinach
Add the baby spinach and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, just until it wilts.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
6. Add the Pasta
Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet.
Toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated in the Cajun cream sauce.
Cook for another minute so the flavors come together.
Finish with lemon juice.
7. Garnish and Serve
Transfer the pasta to serving bowls.
Top with fresh parsley, Parmesan, and a little extra Cajun seasoning or chili flakes.
Serve hot.
Make It Vegan
To make this Cajun vegetable pasta vegan:
- Replace butter with olive oil.
- Use plant-based cream instead of heavy cream.
- Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or a plant-based Parmesan alternative.
The Cajun seasoning and roasted vegetables provide plenty of flavor, so the dish doesn't need dairy to be satisfying.