Cajun Vegetable Pasta

Photography by Simeon Crofts

DIETARY – Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Nut-free

Coincidentally, today is World Pasta Day, which is a rather fabulous day indeed and a very apt time to bring you this, my first pasta recipe on Deliciously Free! This comforting Cajun dish is a celebration of pasta (it works with all kinds) and your favourite veggies, finished with a kick of Southern spice.

I’ve been making this recipe for at least the last 15 years for my friends and family. It’s become somewhat of a signature dish I serve when I have visitors over for dinner and I need to whip up something hearty and delicious in next to no time. This recipe was actually inspired by a beautiful creamy Alfredo I had on a holiday in America some years back, which I know is an entirely different dish. Still, I wanted to replicate that same indulgent flavour in a recipe more tailored to my likes with lots of added veg. Layered with spices, garlic, wine and fresh curled leaf parsley, my Cajun vegetable pasta is a flavour explosion in a bowl, and so easy to make it takes less than 20 minutes to whip up.

If you don’t like lots of spicy heat, pull back on the Cajun spice and leave out the chilli, or swap red chilli for green to give it a milder flavour. If you’re not keen on fresh parsley or don’t have any to hand, you can use dried instead or swap for a more delicate herb, such as basil. Although I first developed this recipe to be vegetarian, you can, of course, add meat, and I often fry up some chopped chicken breast for my hubby to go with it. You can easily swap out regular pasta for gluten-free too, and it goes without saying you can try any veggies you like in it.

Just like the Italians, I always add my pasta to the sauce and toss it well to coat every strand before I serve it, and I highly recommend you do the same. The cream-based sauce clings to the pasta, ensuring a delicious flavour with every bite. Add some crusty garlic bread to mop up any extra sauce, and you’re in pasta heaven!

Cajun Vegetable Pasta

With ImageWithout Image

Serves: 4

Whipped up in less than 20 minutes, this easy vegetarian pasta dish is a real crowd-pleaser packed with flavour and a Cajun spicy kick!

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 red onions, diced
• 1 tsp sea salt flakes
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 red chilli, sliced
• 250g cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 3 tsp Cajun spice
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 150ml white wine
• 200ml double cream
• A good grind of pepper
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus extra to garnish
• 600g fresh or dried tagliatelle (or gluten-free pasta)

Method

1. Heat the olive oil in a deep frying pan then add the diced onion. Fry the onion for 5 minutes until tender and turning golden.
2. Season with salt then add the garlic and half the chilli. Sauté for another 3 minutes.
3. Add the cherry tomatoes and fry for a further 3 minutes.
4. Add the tomato purée, Cajun spice and paprika, stir well and fry for 1 minute.
5. Pour in the wine and allow to simmer until reduced by half.
6. Add the double cream and a good grind of pepper, bring up to simmer then reduce the heat. Allow to cook for 5 minutes before tasting. Adjust the seasoning and spices as you like. I often add a little more Cajun spice at this stage if there isn’t enough heat.
7. While the sauce is gently simmering, cook your pasta in salted water according to packet instructions.
8. When cooked, drain the pasta and set aside for a minute or two. Add the fresh parsley to your sauce and stir well.
9. Add the drained pasta to your sauce, tossing to ensure it is well coated.
10. Serve the pasta garnished with more parsley and the remaining fresh chilli slices.

https://deliciously-free.com/blog/cajun-vegetable-pasta

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @deliciously.free on instagram and hashtag it #cajunpasta