Cajun Pasta
This Cajun Pasta is a must make for your under 30 minute meals. Kid friendly and seriously the best addition for your cheap meals packed with flavor. No one of your family or friends would ever know they eat vegan meals. Also so amazing for meal prep and even gluten free, so a dinner winner for anyone.
Easy meals, quick dinner ideas is where my heart is.
But what makes everything better than this is if it is packed with amazing flavors thanks to cajun seasoning. Just like with this Cajun Sweet Potato Rice Bowl or the Cajun Red Beans and Rice.
You can be sure this Cajun Pasta is no exception. It's hearty, full of flavors, creamy, rich and indulgent, protein rich, super fast, say hello to the magic of 30 minute meals. Easy meals that everyone and the whole family will love from the first to the last bite.
What you need for this creamy cajun pasta:
- your favorite pasta
- chopped tomatoes
- black beans
- cajun seasoning
- garlic
- coconut milk
And some optional extras:
- onions
- bell pepper
- mushrooms
- smoked paprika
How to make Cajun Pasta
First cook your favorite pasta according the package directions. The actual time will vary a bit depending on your used pasta shapes. While pasta is cooking heat a pan or pot with a bit of oil, vegan butter, or just vegetable broth for oil free cooking.
Start with optional onions, bell peppers, minced garlic, and fry all for 3 minutes. After that add optional sliced mushrooms.
Finally make the cajun pasta sauce. Just add chopped tomatoes, black beans, and coconut milk to the same pan. Season with cajun seasoning, salt, pepper and again optional smoked paprika if you like. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, drain pasta and mix with cajun sauce. Serve on a plate or in bowls, enjoy.
This makes such a fantastic option for meal prep, quick family meals, working lunch, romantic dinner ideas and so much more. And all happen so fast and seriously so delicious.
Tips and variations to make this Cajun Pasta
If you're sensitive to spicy flavors, I highly suggest to scale down the cajun seasoning to your own liking. For me it is the perfect amount but everyone is different. So I can only vouch for my own taste. Also you can consider to skip the optional smoked paprika.
Looking for the best cajun seasoning I was lucky enough to find it in a supermarket at local store. However I can imagine it isn't easy from time to time to find an amazing seasoning. In this case, make your own homemade Cajun Seasoning.
One pot cajun pasta: If you try this as a one pot meal, I really suggest to use vegetable broth instead of water. This will add so much flavor. One pot meals tend to loose flavor after adding all spices, that is why vegetable broth is my first choice over water always. I would start with 2 cups vegetable broth.
Also please make use of more chopped tomatoes. This is essential for flavor and double the coconut milk - we want more creaminess. You can imagine a one pot meal is seriously so different from other cooking methods. You really have to make sure to use enough liquid, but use it wisely otherwise there is no texture, creaminess, or taste.
More easy pasta ideas
Cajun casserole: Make this cajun pasta with all the steps and simply sprinkle some vegan cheddar on top. Then bake for around 10 minutes and voila you have one amazing cajun casserole, yum.
Instant pot cajun pasta: If you would like to make this in your instant pot, use the sauté function for round 2 minutes. Add optional onions, bell pepper, mushrooms, garlic, and black beans. Then pasta. Make sure it is well covered with liquid, chopped tomatoes before sealing the instant pot. Use manual mode on high pressure for around 8 minutes and prepare for quick release, finally time to stir.
Sheet pan: On a sheet pan I would only use gnocchi and also reduce the liquid which means only use 2 tbs coconut milk, and ½ cup chopped tomatoes. Mix everything and bake for around 20 minutes.
If you give this Cajun Pasta a try tag me on Instagram and Facebook with a snapped picture.
Love seeing all your delicious remakes always.
Cheers, Florian.
Cajun Pasta
This Cajun Pasta is a must make for your under 30 minute meals. Kid friendly and seriously the best addition for your cheap meals packed with flavor. No one of your family or friends would ever know they eat vegan meals. Also so amazing for meal prep and even gluten free, so a dinner winner for anyone.
Ingredients
- 10 oz pasta (use gluten free if needed)
- 1 15 oz can chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbs cajun seasoning
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 cup cooked black beans
- salt, pepper to taste
Optional add ons:
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup chopped bell pepper
- ¾ cup chopped onions
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
Instructions
- First cook your favorite pasta according the package directions. The actual time will vary a bit depending on your used pasta shapes. While pasta is cooking heat a pan or pot with a bit of oil, vegan butter, or just vegetable broth for oil free cooking.
- Start with optional onions, bell peppers, minced garlic, and fry all for 3 minutes. After that add optional sliced mushrooms.
- Finally make the cajun pasta sauce. Just add chopped tomatoes, black beans, and coconut milk to the same pan. Season with cajun seasoning, salt, pepper and again optional smoked paprika if you like. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, drain pasta and mix with cajun sauce. Serve on a plate or in bowls, enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 2.5 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 359Total Fat: 5.8gSaturated Fat: 4.4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 640mgCarbohydrates: 70.5gFiber: 12.2gSugar: 4.7gProtein: 18.7g
Looks absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try the Cajun flavors.
The coconut milk - Does it matter if it is it from the box or the can?
Hi Samantha! I used full fat coconut milk from a can! Hope that helps.
Do you have to use coconut milk or can it be substituted with Almond milk?
Hi Justina! You can but the result will be less creamy and different. Let me know how it goes.
I made with almond milk and it was still super good; I also added a can of corn as well! Super good and easy recipe!
THIS WAS SOO GOOD! I cooked in some fresh spinach and topped it with fresh green onions. Absolutely PERFECT!
I loved it!! I subbed the mushrooms for chicken (I’m dairy-free and my daughter won’t eat mushrooms). Added a tad more Cajun seasoning for more spice. Thanks for the recipe!
How many people will this serve? Thanks!
Hi Joyce! The recipe is for 6 servings. Hope that helps and clarifies.
Thank you so much for this yummy recipe my husband and I both enjoyed it a lot that we are making it again tonight for dinner We added in the optional add ins except mushrooms and topped it with cilantro and cheese for my husband.
I changed a few things, like adding one container of baby portabella mushrooms, a whole red bell pepper, one red onion, using more cajun seasoning and the whole can of coconut milk and I also added about 3/4 cup of nooch to thicken up the sauce and add some umami. It was amazing! I will definitely be adding it to my regular recipe rotation! Thank you!
Thanks a bunch for your amazing feedback and sharing, Constance! That sounds amazing, yum. I hope you'll find lot of more recipes to try.
Made this recipe it turned out pretty tasty. I added all the optional listed. Now I'm not sure if it has to do with what brand of cajun seasoning you buy but I dont think I would call it cajun pasta. It tasted more like a mexican pasta dish. But I would definetly make it again !
I've made this dish so many times but I've never commented. PERFECT dish when you need something tasty, filling and FAST!! this is one of my go to recipes and my picky husband loves it. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing and making it, Renee! Happy to hear it is such a big hit with you and your husband.
This was actually really good (coming from someone who eats meat & is a picky eater)! I substituted coconut milk for whipped cream adding 2 or 3 spoon scoops. I was afraid it would sweeten the meal & I needed to add some more texture since it was a bit watery so I added habanero jalapeño (great value) cheese from Walmart (this is not spicy but other brands will be) and sprinkled sharp cheddar cheese in at the end which made al the difference! I’m certain I used more than 2 tbs of Cajun seasoning and I added a little Leary’s seasoned salt with extra black beans. I was so surprised how well it turned out; I’ll definitely make this again🤗
Hi Jerrica! Thanks for your feedback and sharing. Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? This is helpful for other readers. Thanks so much.
Making this now... I hope it turns out great. I was wondering if I can freeze leftovers. Thanks!
Hi Gina Personally I find it fresh best, but you can of course freeze it in an airtight container or make individual portions in freezer bags for around 3 months. Hope that helps. Let me know how it turns out.
This was delish.. thanks for all the awesomeness!!
Thanks for your great feedback, Elita! Would you mind leaving your review with a star rating? Your feedback is so helpful for other readers.
For anyone like me looking at the comments for any tips-
I used fat free regular milk. I added a 1 tbs corn starch slurry to help thicken the sauce a little and let it simmer and the sauce was perfect. We added some pre-cooked chicken to it too. The meal is delicious!!
Hi Meagan! Thanks for sharing your tips.
This was fantastic! Can't wait to have it again!
Thanks for your great feedback, Tina! Please do a star rating with your review. So helpful for other readers, thank you.