Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage is a bold and savory dish combining tender shrimp, smoky andouille sausage, and creamy pasta tossed in a zesty Cajun-spiced sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a comforting yet exciting meal that’s perfect for weeknights and guaranteed to impress with its spicy, rich flavors and one-pan ease.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free pasta)
Proteins
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
- 8 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Prepare and cook the pasta: Boil salted water and cook the chosen pasta (fettuccine or linguine) according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water for later use.
- Sauté sausage and vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced andouille sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy. Remove the sausage and set aside. In the same skillet, add diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced bell peppers; sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Cook the shrimp: Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the skillet. Add the shrimp seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then combine them with the vegetables.
- Make the sauce: Add butter and Cajun seasoning to the skillet, allowing the spices to bloom in the fat for about a minute. Pour in the heavy cream and stir, scraping any browned bits from the pan. Let the sauce simmer until it slightly thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Return the cooked pasta and sausage to the skillet, tossing everything to coat evenly. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir to melt it into the creamy sauce.
- Serve immediately: Plate the Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage while hot and ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp for best texture and flavor.
- Do not overcook shrimp; remove from heat as soon as they turn pink to avoid rubberiness.
- Bloom Cajun seasoning in fat to intensify flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency perfectly.
- Start with less Cajun seasoning if unsure, as you can always add more to suit your heat preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, spicy shrimp pasta, andouille sausage recipe, creamy Cajun pasta, quick dinner, one-pan pasta, seafood sausage pasta