Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage – A Flavor-Packed Comfort Dish

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage combines succulent shrimp and savory sausage in a rich, creamy sauce spiced with Cajun seasoning.

The creamy, spicy sauce perfectly coats the pasta for a comforting meal that’s bursting with flavor. This dish is quick to make, yet indulgent enough for special occasions or a weeknight treat. It’s a perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors, and it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large pot for pasta
• Large skillet or frying pan
• Colander for draining pasta
• Stirring spoon or spatula
• Measuring spoons
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients

8 oz fettuccine pasta (or any pasta of choice)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 lb smoked sausage, sliced
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley (for garnish)

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until browned and heated through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
3. Cook the Shrimp: In the same skillet, add the shrimp and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp and set aside with the sausage.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce: Add the heavy cream and chicken broth to the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.
5. Combine Ingredients: Return the sausage and shrimp to the skillet, along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to coat with the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 450
Protein: 29g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fat: 28g
Sugar: 3g

Expert Tips

Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning. If you love spicy food, add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra kick.

Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh shrimp will provide the best texture and flavor, but frozen shrimp will work as well. Just make sure to thaw them properly before cooking.

Make It Even Creamier: For an extra creamy sauce, stir in a bit of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese along with the Parmesan.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can substitute the fettuccine with any type of pasta, such as penne, spaghetti, or linguine.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While this dish is best served fresh, you can prepare the components ahead of time (cook the pasta, shrimp, sausage, and sauce separately) and then combine them just before serving.

Can I make this dish without sausage?
Yes, you can omit the sausage and make it just with shrimp, or substitute with chicken, bacon, or another protein of your choice.

Storing & Reheating

Room Temperature: This dish is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Freezer: This dish doesn’t freeze well due to the creamy sauce, which may separate when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh.

Substitutions & Variations

Vegetarian: Skip the sausage and shrimp, and add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for a vegetarian version.

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.

Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and dairy-free cheese as substitutes for heavy cream and Parmesan to make this dish dairy-free.

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage – A Flavor-Packed Comfort Dish

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage combines succulent shrimp and savory sausage in a rich, creamy sauce spiced with Cajun seasoning.

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Equipment

• - Large pot for pasta
• - Large skillet or frying pan
• - Colander for draining pasta
• - Stirring spoon or spatula
• - Measuring spoons
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients

  

• 8 oz fettuccine pasta or any pasta of choice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 lb smoked sausage sliced
• 1/2 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• **Cook the Pasta:** Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• **Cook the Sausage:** Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until browned and heated through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
• **Cook the Shrimp:** In the same skillet, add the shrimp and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp and set aside with the sausage.
• **Make the Creamy Sauce:** Add the heavy cream and chicken broth to the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.
• **Combine Ingredients:** Return the sausage and shrimp to the skillet, along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to coat with the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• **Serve:** Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.