YumVerseEats
Cajun Sausage Pasta Salad
A Cajun sausage pasta salad with smoky sausage, peppers, and pasta in a creamy, lightly spiced dressing.
RECIPE AT A GLANCE
20
min
Active Time
40
min
Total Time
8
SERVINGS
Stovetop
METHOD
Why It Works
Browning the sausage first seasons the whole salad with smoky flavor. A creamy Cajun dressing coats the cooled pasta without turning it heavy.
Quick Fixes
Salad dry after chilling: pasta drinks dressing, so stir in a splash more before serving.
Too rich: brighten it with extra vinegar or lemon.
Ingredients
Pasta & Grains
Protein
Sauce
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Vegetables
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• ¼ cup diced red onion
Seasoning
Topping
How to Make It
1
Cook the rotini until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
2
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high and brown the sausage, then let cool.
3
Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon, and Cajun seasoning in a small bowl.
4
Toss the pasta, sausage, bell pepper, celery, and red onion with the dressing.
5
Chill at least 1 hour.
6
Top with green onions and serve.
Store
Store up to 3 days.
Reheat
Serve cold; no reheating needed.
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MORE READER FAVORITES
15
min active
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35
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20
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40
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Avo's Tip
Toss in a little extra dressing right before serving — chilled pasta soaks it up.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you start cooking.
• What pasta works best?
Short shapes like rotini or penne hold the dressing and mix-ins well.
• What sausage is best?
Andouille for heat or smoked sausage for a milder, family-friendly salad.
• Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It's ideal made a few hours ahead so the flavors meld.
Cajun Sausage Pasta Salad
Ingredients
—
—
12 oz rotini
—
—
12 oz andouille or smoked sausage, sliced
—
—
1 tablespoon olive oil
—
—
1 red bell pepper, diced
—
—
2 celery stalks, diced
—
—
¼ cup diced red onion
—
—
½ cup mayonnaise
—
—
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
—
—
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
—
—
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
—
—
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
1
Cook the rotini until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
2
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high and brown the sausage, then let cool.
3
Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon, and Cajun seasoning in a small bowl.
4
Toss the pasta, sausage, bell pepper, celery, and red onion with the dressing.
5
Chill at least 1 hour.
6
Top with green onions and serve.
20
min
active
40
min
total
8
servings
YumVerseEats
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