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Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy Cajun shrimp and sausage pasta dish with bold spices, smoky sausage, and tender shrimp simmered in a rich, velvety sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 1/2 pound andouille sausage, sliced (can substitute smoked kielbasa)
  • 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 pound sliced andouille sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned and slightly crispy. Remove sausage and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add shrimp and season with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and keep warm.
  4. Lower heat to medium and add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Stir in smoked paprika, cayenne, and remaining Cajun seasoning. Cook for another minute.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  6. Return sausage and shrimp to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss gently to coat in sauce. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp and sausage to ensure proper browning. Use fresh garlic and onion for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Watch shrimp closely to avoid overcooking. Sauce should be creamy but not too thick. Variations include using half-and-half for lighter sauce, gluten-free pasta, vegan sausage and vegetable broth for plant-based version, or coconut milk and vegan cheese for dairy-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, creamy pasta, sausage pasta, spicy shrimp, andouille sausage recipe, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/creamy-cajun-shrimp-and-sausage-pasta-recipe-easy-bold-spices/