Cajun Shrimp Pasta With Sausage
Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines succulent shrimp and savory sausage with pasta, all tossed in a spicy Cajun cream sauce. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a gathering with friends and family.
Equipment
- 1 large pot for pasta
- 1 large skillet
- 1 colander
- 1 measuring cups
- 1 measuring spoons
- 1 wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ pound smoked sausage, sliced Andouille or kielbasa works well
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning Adjust based on spice preference
- ½ teaspoon salt Adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper Optional, for extra heat
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped For garnish
- Grated to taste Parmesan cheese For serving, optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or linguine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Return the sausage to the skillet and add the shrimp. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- Divide the Cajun Shrimp Pasta among plates. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
Feel free to adjust the level of Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper based on your spice preference.
You can also add other vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for additional flavor and nutrition.