One-Pot Creamy Cajun Meatball Pasta

$- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1 large egg - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste For the meatballs, I start with ground turkey or chicken. You can use either, based on your taste. Breadcrumbs help bind the mixture, while the egg adds richness. Cajun seasoning gives the meatballs a nice kick. Don’t forget salt and pepper for flavor! - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced - 1 medium onion, chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 4 cups chicken broth - 12 ounces penne pasta - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Gouda) Next, I use olive oil to cook the meatballs and veggies. Diced bell pepper, onion, and garlic create a flavorful base. Chicken broth adds depth to the dish. I prefer penne pasta, but any pasta works. Heavy cream and cheese make the sauce rich and creamy. - 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish) To finish, I add sliced green onions for color and freshness. A sprinkle of extra Cajun seasoning can boost the flavor too. These small touches make your dish pop! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, grab a large mixing bowl. Add 1 pound of ground turkey or chicken. Next, toss in 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, and some salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well until combined. Now, shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. This step is fun and lets you get hands-on! Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes until they are brown on all sides. After that, remove them from the pot and set them aside. In the same pot, add 1 diced bell pepper, 1 chopped onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté these for 3-4 minutes. You want them to be soft and fragrant. Now, pour in 4 cups of chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne pasta to the pot and cook it according to the package instructions. Stir occasionally until the pasta is al dente. Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and add 1 cup of shredded cheese, either cheddar or Gouda. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Gently fold in the cooked meatballs and let them warm through in the creamy pasta for about 2-3 minutes. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with extra Cajun seasoning, salt, or pepper if needed. Enjoy the delightful mix of flavors! To make great meatballs, use cold ingredients. Cold meat helps the meatballs hold shape. Mix the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, and Cajun seasoning gently. Over-mixing makes them tough. Form them into 1-inch balls. This size cooks evenly. When you brown the meatballs, don’t crowd the pot. It allows them to crisp up nicely. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes. They should be golden on all sides for the best flavor. Cajun seasoning gives this dish its kick. You can adjust spice levels based on your taste. If you want less heat, reduce the Cajun seasoning to one tablespoon. For a milder version, skip the seasoning. You can add spices like paprika or garlic powder for flavor without heat. If you love spice, add extra Cajun seasoning at the end. This way, everyone can enjoy their own level of spice. A creamy sauce is key to this dish. Use heavy cream for the best texture. Add it slowly to the pot, stirring constantly. This helps the cream mix well with the chicken broth and cheese. If the sauce seems thick, add a splash of chicken broth. This will help loosen it up. Make sure the heat is low when you add the cream. This prevents it from curdling. For an extra creamy touch, add more cheese! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and herbs enhance the flavor of the dish. Opt for fresh bell peppers and onions for a better taste. Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the Cajun seasoning. Alternatively, add more for an extra kick! Cheese Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese like pepper jack or mozzarella for a unique twist on the creamy sauce. Meal Prep Friendly: This dish is great for meal prep! Make a larger batch and store it in the fridge for quick lunches throughout the week. {{image_2}} If you want a meatless version, you can use plant-based meat. Brands like Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger work well. You can also try lentils or black beans. Just mash them up and mix in the breadcrumbs and seasoning. This keeps the same flavor but adds a healthy twist. To make this dish dairy-free, swap heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. Both options give a rich, creamy texture. For cheese, use a dairy-free cheese that melts well. Nutritional yeast can also add a cheesy flavor without dairy. While penne pasta shines in this recipe, you can switch it up! Try fusilli or rotini for fun shapes. These hold sauce well and add texture. Or, use gluten-free pasta if needed. Just be sure to adjust cooking times based on the pasta type. To store your creamy Cajun meatball pasta, let it cool first. Use an airtight container to keep it fresh. This dish stays good in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Make sure to label the container with the date. This helps you keep track of freshness. When you're ready to eat, you can reheat the pasta on the stove or in the microwave. If using the stove, add a splash of chicken broth to keep it creamy. Heat over low until warm. In the microwave, heat in 30-second bursts. Stir between each burst. This ensures even heating without drying it out. You can freeze this dish if you want to store it longer. Place the cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container. It can last for up to 2 months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat it as mentioned above. This way, you can enjoy a tasty meal anytime! Yes, you can use different meats. Ground beef or pork works well. Each meat has its flavor. If you want a leaner option, turkey or chicken is great, too. Just keep the seasoning the same. It will still taste good! If you lack Cajun seasoning, you can make your own. Mix equal parts paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Add some onion powder and thyme for extra flavor. This blend gives a nice kick. You can also use store-bought blends that fit your taste. To spice it up, add more cayenne pepper to the meatballs. You can also toss in sliced jalapeños or crushed red pepper into the pot. For an extra kick, serve with hot sauce on the side. Adjust it to your heat level! In this article, I covered how to make delicious meatballs, pasta, and creamy sauce. You learned about the right ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and helpful tips. You can try different variations and storage ideas to fit your needs. Cooking this dish can be simple and fun. Remember, you can adjust the spice and ingredients to suit your taste. Enjoy your meal, and don’t hesitate to experiment. Cooking is about making something you love.$

One-Pot Creamy Cajun Meatball Pasta

A delicious and creamy pasta dish with Cajun-flavored meatballs, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Course Main Course

Cuisine Cajun

Servings 4

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey or chicken
0.5 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
to taste Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bell pepper diced (red or green)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
12 ounces penne pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Gouda)
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned on all sides. Remove from pot and set aside.
In the same pot, add diced bell pepper, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally until al dente.
Once the pasta is cooked, reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheese, mixing until cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
Gently fold in the cooked meatballs and let them warm through in the creamy pasta for about 2-3 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional Cajun seasoning, salt, or pepper if needed.

Notes

Serve in shallow bowls and garnish with sliced green onions for a pop of color. A sprinkle of extra Cajun seasoning on top adds an inviting look and flavor!

Keyword Cajun, creamy, meatballs, one pot, pasta