Description
Creamy Cajun Pasta with Shrimp and Spicy Sausage is a flavorful and satisfying one-pan dish combining tender pasta with a rich, spicy cream sauce, succulent shrimp, and smoky andouille sausage. Perfect for a quick but impressive dinner, this Cajun-inspired meal balances bold spices with creamy textures for a delightful taste experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 8 oz spicy andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, plus more to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and black pepper to taste
- chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the fettuccine or penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside for later use.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced andouille sausage and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned and slightly crisp. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: In the same skillet, add the peeled and deveined shrimp. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside with the sausage.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the sliced red bell pepper and yellow onion to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until they soften. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3–4 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning if desired, adjusting flavors to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Proteins: Return the cooked pasta, shrimp, and sausage to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the pasta for freshness and visual appeal. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy.
Notes
- For a lighter variation, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half to reduce fat content.
- Adjust the heat by modifying the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your spice preference.
- Try smoked turkey sausage or chicken sausage as alternative proteins for different flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 225mg
