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Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage

Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
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Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage is a vibrant and creamy Southern-inspired dish that combines spicy and smoky flavors with tender shrimp, smoky andouille sausage, and a luscious Cajun cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a quick, comforting meal packed with bold spices and textures, ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Sausage

  • 1 lb fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 oz andouille sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tsp Cajun seasoning, divided
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Pasta

  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • Salt, for pasta water

Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped

Sauce

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Additional Cajun seasoning, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
  2. Cook the Sausage and Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced andouille sausage and sauté until browned and slightly crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside. Season shrimp lightly with 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. In the same skillet, cook shrimp for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside with sausage.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes, creating the flavor base for the sauce.
  4. Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce: Sprinkle remaining Cajun seasoning over the vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Slowly pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Combine Everything: Return cooked sausage and shrimp to the skillet, mixing into the creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss well to coat everything evenly. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top and stir to incorporate before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh shrimp if possible for best texture and flavor.
  • Do not overcook shrimp; remove from heat as soon as they turn pink to maintain tenderness.
  • Adjust Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper to match your preferred spice level.
  • Reserve a little pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
  • Andouille sausage is key to authentic Cajun flavor, but spicy smoked sausage makes a good substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, Cajun sausage pasta, spicy creamy pasta, andouille sausage recipe, quick Cajun dinner, Southern pasta dish, one-pot pasta, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/cajun-shrimp-pasta-with-sausage/