🔥 A Spicy, Creamy Comfort Food That Brings the Bayou to Your Table
If you’ve been craving something hearty, spicy, and loaded with flavor, look no further than Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage. This dish has everything — smoky sausage, juicy shrimp, rich cream sauce, and just the right amount of Cajun heat. It’s the kind of dinner that satisfies your soul, fills your belly, and makes you feel like you’re dining in the heart of Louisiana.
This one-pan pasta recipe is perfect for weeknights but impressive enough for a special dinner. The creamy Cajun sauce coats every bite, the shrimp are perfectly tender, and the sausage adds a smoky, savory kick that ties it all together. It’s comfort food with a bold personality — and it might just become your new favorite.
🍤 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to bring this delicious Cajun recipe to life:
Protein:
-
½ lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
-
½ lb andouille sausage, sliced (or smoked sausage)
Pasta & Sauce:
-
8 oz penne or fettuccine (your choice)
-
2 tbsp olive oil
-
1 tbsp butter
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 small yellow onion, diced
-
1 red bell pepper, sliced
-
1 ½ cups heavy cream
-
½ cup chicken broth
-
½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
-
2 tsp Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
-
½ tsp paprika
-
Salt and black pepper to taste
-
Fresh parsley for garnish
-
Optional: red pepper flakes for extra heat
🍽️ Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining. Set aside.
2. Sauté the Sausage
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook sliced sausage until browned and slightly crispy on the edges, about 4–5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Cook the Shrimp
In the same pan, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter. Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning and sauté for 2–3 minutes per side, just until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. Make the Sauce Base
Add diced onion and bell pepper to the pan and sauté for 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any flavorful bits from the bottom.
5. Add Cream & Cheese
Reduce heat to low and pour in heavy cream. Stir in Parmesan cheese, Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until thick and creamy.
6. Bring It All Together
Return the shrimp and sausage to the skillet along with cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
7. Garnish and Serve
Top with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve hot with crusty garlic bread or a fresh salad.
😋 Why This Recipe Works
-
One-pan magic — fewer dishes, faster cleanup
-
Creamy, spicy, and savory all in one
-
Customizable heat level — turn it up or down to suit your taste
-
Protein-packed — sausage and shrimp give serious staying power
-
Crowd-pleaser — great for dinner parties, potlucks, or meal prep
🧑🍳 Tips for Success
-
Use quality Cajun seasoning. Homemade blends often taste better and let you control the salt.
-
Don’t overcook the shrimp. They should be just pink and opaque — nothing rubbery.
-
Fresh Parmesan melts better than pre-grated cheese.
-
Add greens! Try baby spinach or kale stirred in at the end for extra nutrition.
-
Too spicy? Stir in a bit more cream or add a spoonful of cream cheese to mellow it out.
🔁 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
Reheat on the stove or microwave with a splash of broth or cream to keep the sauce silky.
Freezing:
Not recommended, as the cream sauce may separate when thawed.
🌶️ Make It Your Own
-
Add mushrooms or diced tomatoes for a twist.
-
Swap sausage for chicken, turkey, or plant-based options.
-
Make it keto by skipping the pasta and serving over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
-
Add a splash of white wine to deglaze for a more complex sauce.
🌟 Rave Reviews
“Absolutely amazing! My husband went back for thirds. The flavors are out of this world.” — Jen R.
“Better than what I’ve had at restaurants! So creamy and flavorful.” — Tom L.
“This recipe is now on repeat in our home. The shrimp and sausage combo is perfect.” — Nadia W.
🧾 Nutrition Snapshot (Per Serving – Estimate)
-
Calories: 620
-
Protein: 32g
-
Carbs: 45g
-
Fat: 38g
-
Fiber: 2g
-
Sugar: 3g
Note: Nutritional values will vary based on sausage type and pasta used.
🍷 Wine Pairing Ideas
Pair your Cajun shrimp pasta with:
-
A crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
-
Light-bodied Pinot Noir for a red option
-
Sparkling Prosecco to cut through the creaminess
🏁 Final Thoughts: A Weeknight Winner with Restaurant-Worthy Flavor
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage delivers everything you want in a dinner — bold spice, comforting creaminess, and protein-packed satisfaction in every bite. It’s simple enough for a Tuesday night but so flavorful it’ll have your guests thinking you ordered takeout from a fancy Southern bistro.
Once you try this recipe, you’ll be coming back to it again and again. Go ahead — save it, share it, and make it your signature dish. Your tastebuds (and dinner guests) will thank you.
Comments
Post a Comment