Instant Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta

This easy Instant Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta is a spicy and flavorful one-pot meal that is perfect for busy weeknights! With tender pasta, savory andouille sausage, and a creamy Cajun sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite!

A few years back, I bought my Instant Pot and since then, it has been a huge help in getting dinner on the table for my family when busy school nights come up. From Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff, to Instant Pot White Chicken Chili, Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice, and Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole, we have experimented our way through trying new things. Believe it or not, this Cajun pasta recipe is one of the first things I made and to this day, is still my husband’s most favorite meal I make!

Why You’ll Love this Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta

• Quick and Easy– using simple ingredients and only about 20 minutes of cook time, this meal is perfect when short on time!
• Family Approved– I have three picky eaters in my house and can happily say they each give this meal two thumbs up.
• Customizable– have fun with it and make it your own by adding in addition veggies, increasing/decreasing the Cajun seasoning, change pasta type, etc. So many great options to customize it!
• A one pot meal– if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to add some sides, no worries! This recipe includes your pasta, protein, and veggie, so technically, it is a full meal in itself.

Instant Pot Cajun Pasta Ingredient Notes

See printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact ingredient amounts and step by step directions.

• Oil– I use vegetable oil, however canola oil or avocado oil work as well.
• Butter– use unsalted to control the salt levels a bit more.
• Green Bell Pepper– diced, you can use any color desired.
• Onion– diced yellow or white onion is best.
• Smoked Andouille Sausage– use whichever flavor and brand desired. To increase the spice levels, try jalapeno smoked sausage, one of our favorites!
• Garlic– fresh minced garlic is best as it adds the most flavor, jarred works too.
• Paprika, Italian Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, Cayenne Pepper– this adds lots of flavor and heat to the pot.
• Chicken Broth– try to use reduced sodium if you can, homemade works great too.
• Diced Tomatoes– one can, any brand, but don’t drain it as you will need the additional liquid.
• Penne Pasta– uncooked, I have recently started using whole wheat penne pasta and it is delicious. Feel free to use a different type of pasta such as rotini.
• Cream Cheese– full fat is best, allow to soften before using so it blends into the pasta easier.
• Parmesan Cheese– grated is best, but if you only have shredded, that works great too.
• Heavy Whipping Cream– this gets added after the pasta has cooked and adds to the overall creaminess. You can use half and half if you don’t have whipping cream on hand.

How to make Instant Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta

1. Turn sauté mode on Instant Pot and add in the oil and butter to the bottom of the pot.
2. Add in the green pepper and onion, allowing to sauté about 3 minutes.
3. Add in the garlic and sausage, sautéing an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Add in the paprika, Italian seasoning, broth, tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, Cayenne pepper, and uncooked pasta.
5. Stir a bit to push down the pasta into the liquid.
6. Turn off saute function and place lid securely on top. Ensure valve is in sealing position.
7. Cook manual, high pressure, for 5 minutes followed by a quick release.
8. Once pin drops, open pressure cooker lid and stir in the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream.
9. Once cheeses have melted and all has been incorporated, serve!

Tips for success

• I use a 6 quart electric pressure cooker for this recipe. You can use an 8 quart, but I don’t recommend going any smaller.
• If you want to add in some additional vegetables, mushrooms, olives, or additional peppers are great options!
• To cut down on spice, feel free to use less Cajun seasoning or use an all-purpose seasoning in place of the Cajun.
• Diced chicken works great in place of the sausage, saute it a bit before adding it to the rest of the ingredients, but then you will have a yummy Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta instead!
• Ensure the cream cheese is softened before adding it so it melts evenly and smoothly.

Storing Cajun Pasta with Sausage

• Once fully cooled, place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
• To freeze, place in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
• To reheat, place serving into microwave for about 1 minute, or until heated through.

More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot Crack Chicken– a high-protein, keto-friendly main course that's as easy to make as it is delicious. With its creamy cream cheese and ranch-flavored sauce, this versatile dish can be served up in sandwiches, with mashed potatoes, or alongside your favorite sides!

Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein– made with tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and flavorful sauce, it's a delicious one-pot meal that the whole family will love

Easy Instant Pot Beef Enchilada Casserole– layers of beef, sauce, cheese, and corn tortillas combine into a Tex-Mex dish the whole family will love!

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken– the perfect combination of spicy and savory. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, it's a quick and easy meal for any day of the week. Serve the shredded chicken in tacos, nachos, burritos, sandwiches, slider buns, and more!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Instant Pot Pasta– a simple and tasty Instant Pot dinner that includes Ranch seasoned chicken, tender noodles, and bacon combined in a creamy sauce!

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