March 26, 2018
Cajun Pork Pasta
Cajun Pork Pasta is loaded with sautéed bell peppers and onions, Cajun seasoned fresh pork, and creamy Cajun noodles and is ready in 30 minutes! This post is sponsored by Smithfield.
I have the perfect protein-packed, nutritious, and tasty dinner to share that is ready in 30 minutes or less! I fell in love with all things Cajun a few years ago and have been wanting to make Cajun pasta and finally got around to it. It is loaded with whole-grain pasta, sautéed peppers and onions, sautéed pork and a delicious Cajun sauce. The sauce is slightly creamy, has chunks of fresh tomatoes, and a smoky Cajun flavor.
I was at the grocery store and almost bought Cajun seasoning and then saw that it was loaded with sodium so I decided to make my own salt-free Cajun seasoning at home. It turned out awesome. You can use whatever vegetables you want for this. I used two colors of bell peppers and onions. I think that mushrooms and zucchini would also be great in it.
I served this to my kids, husband and dad one night when I was going out. I got a text from my dad a little while later saying how good it was. When I got home, my husband told me that both kids gobbled it right up. A big win if you can please everyone with one meal!
For this recipe, I decided to use the Smithfield Boneless Fresh Pork Sirloin Roast for the protein. I am a huge fan of cooking with fresh pork and you can find pulled pork being cooked in my slow cooker frequently. Some of my favorite ways to eat fresh pork are my mom's Pork Chops Charcuterie (need to share the recipe soon as they are a family favorite), Chipotle Pulled Pork for tacos and BBQ Pulled Pork for sandwiches or to eat on top of salads. It’s so versatile and easy to prepare, so we like making a big batch at the beginning of the week and enjoying in a variety of ways.
Fresh pork can be a lean choice for a meal if you choose the right cut. I always trim my pork to remove any extra fat. It is a great source of protein like other meats and can be used in so many different ways. It is rich in riboflavin, zinc, vitamin B6, thiamin, phosphorus and niacin as well, so integrating fresh pork into your diet is a simple and delicious way to create a well-balanced lifestyle. A three-ounce serving of lean fresh pork has only 120 calories and 22 grams of protein! Pork sirloins and tenderloins are considered to be a "heart-healthy food" by the American Heart Association.
Smithfield Foods also just launched Smithfield Foods Balance, a new digital resource focused on incorporating fresh pork into everyday recipes to help build healthy meal solutions. The new website includes nutritional print and digital toolkits, health trends, fact sheets and videos that highlight the health benefits of fresh pork for at-home cooks as well as retail dietitians looking to provide resources to their customers. The site also includes protein-packed, flavorful recipes such as Spicy Skillet Fresh Pork with Veggies, Chili Rub Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, and Grilled Fresh Pork & Veggies with Lemon – all of which are certified by the American Heart Association and meet strict nutritional criteria based on calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugar.
Yield: 6 servings
Cajun Pork Pasta
Cajun Pork Pasta is loaded with sauteed bell peppers and onions, Cajun seasoned pork and creamy Cajun noodles and is ready in 30 minutes!
prep time: 5 MINScook time: 20MINStotal time: 25 mins
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 can no-salt added diced tomatoes
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 12 ounce box whole-grain pasta
Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Trim sirloin roast and cut into slices that are about 3/4 inch thick. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and pan fry pork for about 5 minutes on each side until cooked through.
- Mix together the ingredients for Cajun seasoning. Once you flip the pork, season each side generously with seasoning. Remove from pan and slice into bite-sized strips.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions.
- Add the other tablespoon of oil to pan and cook bell peppers and onions for about 5 minutes. Add in tomatoes- do not drain. Mix in Greek yogurt and the rest of the Cajun seasoning. Mix in pasta and simmer for about 2 more minutes and serve.
For this recipe, I used Smithfield Boneless Fresh Pork Sirloin Roasts. The package came with two large roasts, so I just took one out and froze the other one. You can roast them or pan fry them in slices like I did with this recipe. It was tender enough for my 11 month old baby to eat it finely diced and was full of the delicious Cajun flavor. For more recipe ideas, nutritional information, and resources about fresh pork, check out SmithfieldFoodsBalance.com.
Like this recipe? Check out other similar recipes:
Lemon Garlic Roasted Vegetable Pasta
Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Tomato, Spinach and Pine Nut Pasta
Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Tomato, Spinach and Pine Nut Pasta
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield.
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