Get ready to meet your new weeknight obsession. This Cajun Sausage Cabbage Alfredo is a creamy, dreamy, one-pan wonder that delivers huge flavor without the carbs. Imagine spicy, savory sausage and tender-crisp cabbage swimming in a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce, all ready in under 30 minutes. It’s the kind of satisfying comfort food that feels indulgent but fits perfectly into a low-carb or keto lifestyle. If you’re craving pasta but not the carbs, this recipe is the delicious answer you’ve been looking for.
Why This Cajun Sausage Cabbage Alfredo Recipe Works
This isn’t just another skillet meal; it’s a game-changer for quick and flavorful dinners. We’ve designed this recipe to be as simple as it is delicious, solving your weeknight dinner dilemma in one sizzling pan.
- Incredible Flavor Fusion: The smoky heat of Cajun sausage pairs perfectly with the subtle sweetness of tender cabbage, all brought together by a luxuriously creamy Alfredo sauce. It’s a combination that will have you coming back for seconds.
- One-Pan Simplicity: Forget about a sink full of dishes. Everything comes together in a single skillet, making cleanup an absolute breeze. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Keto & Low-Carb Friendly: By swapping traditional pasta for cabbage, you get all the satisfying texture and flavor of a classic Alfredo dish without the heavy carbs. It’s pure comfort food that keeps you on track.
The Key Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients to create its signature creamy and spicy flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Skillet
- Cajun-style Andouille Sausage: This is the star of the show. Look for a quality smoked sausage with a good kick of spice.
- Cabbage: A head of green cabbage, roughly chopped, serves as our delicious, low-carb “noodle.”
- Onion & Bell Pepper: We use a yellow onion and a green bell pepper to build the classic “holy trinity” flavor base common in Cajun cooking.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for a deep, aromatic flavor base.
For the Creamy Alfredo Sauce
- Heavy Cream & Cream Cheese: This duo creates an ultra-creamy, rich sauce that clings perfectly to the sausage and cabbage.
- Parmesan Cheese: For the best results, use freshly grated Parmesan. It melts smoother and provides a sharp, nutty flavor.
- Cajun Seasoning: A bold, salt-free Cajun or Creole blend brings the signature Louisiana flavor.
- Olive Oil & Butter: Used for sautéing the vegetables and sausage, adding a layer of richness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Cajun Sausage Cabbage Alfredo. It comes together quickly, so have your ingredients prepped and ready to go!
- Brown the Sausage: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced Andouille sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy on the edges. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Wilt the Cabbage: Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet. Stir everything together, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender-crisp. Don’t let it get too soft!
- Build the Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the heavy cream and cubed cream cheese to the skillet. Stir constantly until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Finish the Dish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and Cajun seasoning. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce has slightly thickened. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine, allowing it to heat through for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Creamy Cajun Cabbage
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. Grating a block of Parmesan fresh will give you the smoothest, creamiest results.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Use a large, wide skillet to ensure the cabbage sautés rather than steams. This helps it become tender without releasing too much water, which can thin out your sauce.
- Control the Spice: Cajun seasoning blends vary in heat. Start with a smaller amount, taste the sauce, and add more until you reach your desired level of spiciness.
- Use Full-Fat Dairy: For the richest and most stable sauce, use full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream. Low-fat versions are more likely to break or result in a thin sauce.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This versatile recipe is easy to adapt. Try one of these delicious variations to make it your own.
Protein Swaps
Not a fan of sausage? This dish works wonderfully with other proteins. Try substituting it with diced chicken thighs, peeled shrimp, or even sliced Cajun steak. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
Add More Veggies
Feel free to bulk up the dish with more low-carb vegetables. Sliced mushrooms, chopped zucchini, or a handful of fresh spinach would all be excellent additions. Add them in with the cabbage.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers! To store, allow the Cajun Sausage Cabbage Alfredo to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For best results when reheating, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce as it heats. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. While cabbage provides a great noodle-like texture, you could substitute it with zucchini noodles (zoodles), broccoli florets, or cauliflower rice. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure they don’t become mushy.
To ensure a thick, creamy sauce, use full-fat heavy cream and cream cheese. Also, avoid overcooking the cabbage, as it can release excess water. Simmering the sauce gently after adding the cheese will also help it thicken.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best results, reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture.
The spiciness largely depends on your Andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning. Most Andouille has a mild to medium kick. You can easily control the heat by choosing a mild sausage and adjusting the amount of Cajun seasoning to your personal preference.
Andouille sausage is the best choice for authentic Cajun flavor and a good level of spice. However, any smoked sausage, like kielbasa, will also work well in this dish.
More Delicious Recipes To Try
If you loved this easy skillet meal, you’re sure to enjoy some of our other favorite one-pan dinners. For another taste of Louisiana, try this Creamy Cajun Chicken. And if you’re looking for more cheesy, low-carb comfort, this Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is a must-try.
A Creamy, Dreamy Cajun Dinner
This Cajun Sausage Cabbage Alfredo proves that low-carb eating can be incredibly delicious and satisfying. It’s a quick, easy, and flavor-packed meal that is sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation. We hope you love it as much as we do!
If you make this recipe, let us know what you think in the comments below and don’t forget to save it to Pinterest for later!
Cajun Sausage Cabbage Alfredo
Cajun Sausage Cabbage Alfredo: Your New Favorite Low-Carb Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced Andouille sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy on the edges. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
- Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet. Stir everything together, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender-crisp.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the heavy cream and cubed cream cheese to the skillet. Stir constantly until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and Cajun seasoning. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce has slightly thickened. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine, allowing it to heat through for 1-2 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Control the Spice: Taste the sauce before serving and add more Cajun seasoning if you prefer more heat.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
