Get ready to indulge in a dish that’s bursting with bold flavors and silky textures—this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe is an absolute showstopper. It’s a perfect blend of succulent shrimp, zesty sausage, and a rich, luscious sauce that clings to tender fettuccine, delivering a meal that’s both comforting and exciting all at once.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredible Flavor Fusion: The combo of Cajun seasoning, smoky sausage, and creamy sauce packs every bite with layers of bold, savory goodness.
- Simple Yet Impressive: With straightforward ingredients and easy steps, this recipe feels fancy but is perfect for any night of the week.
- Perfect Comfort Food: Creamy, spicy, and hearty – it’s the kind of pasta you’ll crave again and again.
- Customizable to Your Taste: Whether you prefer more heat or prefer to swap sausage types, this dish is wonderfully adaptable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe starts with just the right ingredients, each playing a key role in building flavor, texture, and color. From the plump shrimp to the fragrant Cajun spices and the creamy Parmesan sauce, every element comes together beautifully.
- Large shrimp: Peeled and deveined, these juicy morsels soak up the Cajun seasoning and get perfectly seared for amazing texture.
- Cajun seasoning & oregano: Essential for that classic, spicy Creole flavor that gives this dish its irresistible kick.
- Andouille or smoked sausage: Adds smoky richness and a satisfying bite that complements the shrimp so well.
- Fettuccine pasta: Wide and flat, this pasta shape cradles the creamy sauce beautifully.
- Yellow onion and red bell pepper: Bring sweetness and color while balancing the spice.
- Crushed tomatoes & chicken broth: These form a flavorful base for the sauce, adding acidity and depth.
- Heavy cream & Parmesan: The ultimate finishers that make this pasta decadently creamy and cheesy.
- Garlic and brown sugar: Garlic uplifts the savory notes, while brown sugar subtly rounds out the spices with a hint of sweetness.
Variations
The beauty of this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Feel free to tweak the proteins, spice level, or even the creaminess to perfectly suit your preferences or what’s available in your kitchen.
- Swap the sausage: Use chorizo, kielbasa, or even turkey sausage for a different flavor twist while keeping the dish hearty.
- Make it vegetarian: Replace shrimp and sausage with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or tofu for a delicious meatless alternative.
- Adjust the heat: Add extra Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you love more spice, or tone it down by using mild paprika instead.
- Use different pasta: Penne, linguine, or even gluten-free pasta will work wonderfully if you want to mix things up on the texture front.
How to Make Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe
Step 1: Season and Cook the Shrimp and Sausage
Start by tossing your shrimp with salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, and oregano until they’re nicely coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add those shrimp to sear for a few minutes until pink and slightly caramelized. Remove them and set aside. In the same skillet, add a little more oil and brown the thinly sliced andouille or smoked sausage until it’s beautifully caramelized, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove and set aside as well—the pan will be the base of the sauce.
Step 2: Boil the Pasta
While the shrimp and sausage cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your fettuccine until al dente, following package instructions. Drain the pasta but don’t rinse; keeping the pasta warm and slightly sticky helps the sauce cling better later on.
Step 3: Build the Flavorful Sauce
Lower the heat to medium and use the same skillet, adding a drizzle more olive oil if needed. Toss in the sliced yellow onion and red bell pepper with Cajun seasoning, brown sugar, and a generous pinch of salt. Sauté gently, scraping up those tasty browned bits from the pan, until the veggies soften. Add chopped garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant—this step is where all the flavor really starts to build!
Step 4: Create the Creamy Cajun Sauce
Next, stir in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Keep stirring and scraping the browned bits from the pan to infuse the sauce with maximum flavor, then let it simmer for a couple of minutes to thicken slightly.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Once the sauce has thickened, add the grated Parmesan, stirring it in until it melts into a rich, cheesy sauce. Toss in your cooked fettuccine and sausage, stirring everything together to heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then gently fold in the shrimp last to keep their tender texture intact. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe
- Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh or properly thawed shrimp give the best texture and flavor; avoid overcooking them to keep them tender.
- Don’t Skip Scraping the Pan: Those browned bits add depth to the sauce, so be sure to use them when sautéing the veggies and simmering the sauce.
- Add Shrimp Last: Adding shrimp at the very end avoids over-steaming and keeps them plump and juicy.
- Taste as You Go: Adjust seasoning during each step, especially the salt and spice balance, for a perfectly tailored flavor.
How to Serve Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley really brightens this dish and adds a lovely pop of green. You can also add a touch of grated Parmesan on top for extra cheesiness or a dash of freshly ground black pepper to enhance the spice notes.
Side Dishes
Serve with a crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the creaminess, or enjoy with garlic bread for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce. Roasted or steamed veggies like asparagus or broccoli make tasty, colorful accompaniments to round out your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the pasta in individual deep bowls to showcase the creamy sauce and vibrant sausage slices. For a fun twist, try plating over a bed of sautéed greens or nestling the pasta in hollowed-out bell peppers for a playful presentation that’s sure to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop further overnight, making it an equally delicious next-day meal.
Freezing
While this pasta is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the cooked sauce separately (without pasta) in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently before tossing with freshly cooked pasta.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce as needed. Avoid microwaving at high heat which can make the shrimp rubbery — slow and gentle is key.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of pasta for this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe?
Absolutely! While fettuccine is great for holding the creamy sauce, you can swap it for linguine, penne, or even gluten-free pasta if you prefer. Just be sure to cook the pasta al dente so it doesn’t get mushy when combined with the sauce.
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How spicy is this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe?
The dish has a nice medium heat from the Cajun seasoning that can be adjusted to taste. If you want it milder, reduce the Cajun spice and add paprika instead. For more heat, add cayenne pepper or extra Cajun seasoning when cooking the shrimp and sauce.
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Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
You can prep the shrimp and sausage ahead of time and store them separately. The sauce and pasta are best made fresh, but leftovers store well in the fridge for a couple of days. Reheat gently to preserve texture and flavor.
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What can I substitute for heavy cream in this recipe?
If you want a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or even coconut milk for a dairy-free twist, though the sauce won’t be as thick or rich. To keep creaminess with less fat, adding a bit of cream cheese during the sauce step can also help.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe will quickly become one of your go-to dishes for entertaining or a special weeknight dinner. It’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and utterly satisfying. So gather your ingredients, get cooking, and prepare to savor every delightful, creamy bite!
PrintCreamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage Recipe
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage is a flavorful and comforting dish combining tender shrimp, smoky andouille sausage, and fettuccine pasta tossed in a rich, spicy cream sauce loaded with Cajun seasonings, bell peppers, and Parmesan cheese. This quick and easy skillet recipe brings bold Southern flavors to your dinner table in under 40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Shrimp and Sausage
- 1 lb. large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or Creole seasoning)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 oz andouille sausage or smoked sausage (thinly sliced)
Pasta
- 10 ounces fettuccine pasta
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1/2 yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (or Creole seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2-3 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth (sodium free)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook shrimp: Toss shrimp with salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, and oregano to coat evenly. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes; flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- Brown sausage: In the same skillet, drizzle a little more olive oil. Add thinly sliced andouille or smoked sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until caramelized and browned. Remove sausage to the plate with shrimp and set aside. Keep the skillet for the sauce.
- Boil pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta but do not rinse. Set aside.
- Make sauce: Turn heat to medium and add a bit more olive oil to the skillet. Add sliced onion, red bell pepper, Cajun seasoning, brown sugar, and a generous pinch of salt. Sauté until vegetables soften, scraping the pan to loosen browned bits. Add chopped garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring and scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Let simmer for a couple of minutes to meld flavors.
- Add cheese: Stir grated Parmesan into the sauce until fully dissolved and blended.
- Combine pasta and sausage: Add cooked pasta and browned sausage to the sauce. Stir to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Finish with shrimp: Finally, fold in the cooked shrimp to avoid overcooking. Warm them through gently in the sauce.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Cajun shrimp pasta and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- For spicier heat, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add cayenne pepper.
- If andouille sausage is unavailable, smoked sausage or chorizo can be substituted.
- Do not rinse the pasta after draining to help the sauce adhere better.
- Use fresh parsley for garnish to add a bright herbaceous note.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid drying out the shrimp.
