One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick

This One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick is the kind of recipe that brings vibrant, bold flavors to your weeknight dinner table without the fuss. Smoky sausage, colorful bell peppers, and tender potatoes come together with a Cajun-inspired spice blend that gives every bite a satisfying little heat. Perfect for summer evenings when you want something hearty but not heavy, and ready in just about 30 minutes.
What makes this dish special is how effortlessly it marries fresh ingredients and bold spices in one skillet. There’s very little cleanup and maximum flavor payoff — ideal when you want more time to enjoy a sunset on the porch or a chat with family. This skillet is not only quick to make but also incredibly versatile, letting you adjust the spice level to suit your taste.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick
You’ll love this skillet because it’s everything you want in a summer meal: fresh, easy, and packed with flavor. The sausage gives a smoky richness, the Cajun spices wake up your palate, and the vegetables add sweetness and crunch. Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder, which means less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing. Perfect for busy nights, potlucks, or even meal prepping for a few lunches.
What Kind of Sausage Should I Use?
For this recipe, smoked sausage works beautifully — think andouille or kielbasa for that deep smoky note that plays so well with the Cajun spices. You can also use chicken sausage if you’re looking for a lighter option or even a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian twist. The key is to choose a sausage that holds up well to pan-searing and doesn’t dry out, so you get that perfect balance of crispy edges and juicy inside.
Ingredients for the One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick
This dish comes together with simple, wholesome ingredients you can find in any grocery store. Each one adds a distinct note that balances the others, creating a colorful, flavorful skillet that feels like summer in every bite.
- Smoked sausage – Adds smoky depth and meaty texture that’s irresistible.
- Baby potatoes – Tender and hearty, they soak up the spices and juices perfectly.
- Bell peppers – Bright and sweet, they bring color and freshness.
- Red onion – Adds a mellow sweetness and a little bite.
- Garlic – A must-have for savory depth.
- Olive oil – Helps everything cook evenly and adds richness.
- Cajun seasoning – The star of the show, adding that spicy kick.
- Fresh parsley – For a final bright, herbaceous note.


How To Make the One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Wash and slice the baby potatoes into halves or quarters depending on their size. Slice the smoked sausage into coins, and cut the bell peppers and red onion into strips. Mince the garlic.
Step 2: Sear the Sausage
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle in a bit of olive oil. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy on the edges. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Potatoes
In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Toss in the potatoes, season lightly with Cajun seasoning, and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re golden and tender.
Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables
Add the bell peppers, red onion, and garlic to the skillet with the potatoes. Sauté for another 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are just tender but still vibrant.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Return the sausage to the skillet, sprinkle with more Cajun seasoning to taste, and stir everything together. Let cook another 2-3 minutes for the flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Serving and Storing Your One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick
This dish serves about 4 people generously, making it perfect for a small family dinner or for a meal prep session to last you a couple of days. To serve, simply spoon generous portions into shallow bowls and enjoy it hot. The leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat gently in a skillet or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to keep the potatoes moist.
What to Serve With One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick?
Garlic Bread
A crusty slice of garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the flavorful juices.
Green Salad
A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette balances the rich, spicy skillet nicely.
Cornbread
Slightly sweet and crumbly cornbread is a wonderful Southern-inspired side.
Coleslaw
Cool and creamy coleslaw adds a refreshing contrast to the warm Cajun flavors.
Rice Pilaf
If you’re feeding a crowd, serving this skillet over fluffy rice pilaf can stretch the dish and mellow the spice.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
In summer, nothing beats smoky grilled corn alongside this hearty skillet.
Roasted Asparagus
For a touch of elegance, serve with tender roasted asparagus spears.
Want More Skillet Dinner Ideas?
If you loved this One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick, you might also enjoy these flavorful dishes:
• One-Pot Creamy Sausage Rigatoni for a creamy and comforting twist.
• Herby Chicken Meatball Bowl that’s light yet satisfying.
• Tasty Deconstructed Skillet Stuffed Cabbage Rolls for a fun spin on a classic.
• Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta when you crave something creamy with veggies.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you try a spicier Cajun blend or keep it mild? Maybe added another veggie? I’d love to hear how you made it your own. Feel free to ask questions, too — let’s make weeknight cooking easier together.
Explore more of my beautifully curated, health-boosting dinner recipes on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and find your next favorite!
Conclusion
One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick is the perfect combination of ease, bold flavors, and wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re cooking for family or prepping your lunches, it’s a reliable go-to that’s anything but boring. Try it tonight and bring a little Cajun heat to your table.
Print
One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This One-Pan Summer Sausage Skillet with Cajun Kick is a quick, flavorful dinner recipe featuring smoky sausage, tender potatoes, colorful vegetables, and bold Cajun spices — perfect for easy weeknight meals.
Ingredients
300 g smoked sausage
500 g baby potatoes
2 bell peppers
1 red onion
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Wash and slice the baby potatoes into halves or quarters depending on size. Slice the smoked sausage into coins, and cut the bell peppers and red onion into strips. Mince the garlic.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle in olive oil. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned and crispy on the edges. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed. Add potatoes, season lightly with Cajun seasoning, and cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender.
4. Add bell peppers, red onion, and garlic to the skillet with potatoes. Sauté for another 5–6 minutes until vegetables are tender but vibrant.
5. Return sausage to the skillet, sprinkle with more Cajun seasoning, and stir together. Cook another 2–3 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
This recipe is great for meal prep and keeps well in the fridge for 3 days.
You can adjust the Cajun spice level to suit your taste.
Substitute chicken sausage or plant-based sausage for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-pan skillet
- Cuisine: Cajun-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 55mg