Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage is a quick and easy Louisiana-inspired dish featuring bold Cajun spices, tender shrimp, and smoky andouille sausage all tossed in a rich, creamy sauce with pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a comforting blend of creamy textures and hearty proteins perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun, Louisiana
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free pasta)
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb fresh or frozen peeled and deveined shrimp
- 8 oz andouille sausage, sliced
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
Pasta & Dairy
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Spices & Oils
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Peel and devein the shrimp if needed, slice the sausage, and chop the garlic, onion, and bell peppers to get all ingredients ready for cooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving one cup of pasta water, and set pasta aside.
- Sauté the Sausage and Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add sausage slices and cook until browned and slightly crisp. Remove sausage and set aside. Add garlic, onion, and bell peppers to the skillet and sauté until softened and fragrant.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet with the vegetables, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, and cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and return the sausage to the pan. Stir well, simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted for a luscious sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, mixing thoroughly so every strand is coated with the spicy creamy sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for best texture and flavor, frozen works fine if thawed properly.
- Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; remove as soon as pink.
- Add a splash of lemon juice if sauce feels too rich to brighten flavors.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning salt and spice levels to taste.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen and help sauce cling to noodles better.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: Cajun, shrimp pasta, sausage, creamy sauce, quick dinner, Louisiana cuisine, spicy pasta
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