🍤 Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
🍽️ Servings: 4
⏱️ Time: ~35 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
Pasta:
12 oz (340g) penne or fettuccine
Protein:
1/2 lb (225g) shrimp, peeled & deveined
1/2 lb (225g) smoked sausage (like andouille), sliced
Seasoning:
2–3 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
Sauce:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish:
Fresh parsley, chopped
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cook pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain. - Season shrimp
Toss shrimp with 1 tsp Cajun seasoning and paprika. - Cook sausage
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook sausage until browned.
Remove and set aside. - Cook shrimp
In the same pan, add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink.
Remove and set aside. - Build the sauce
Add butter and remaining oil to the pan.
Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft.
Stir in remaining Cajun seasoning and black pepper. - Make it creamy
Pour in chicken broth and cream; simmer 3–5 minutes.
Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. - Combine everything
Add pasta, sausage, and shrimp back into the pan.
Toss to coat.
Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. - Serve
Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.