Cajun shrimp pasta with sausage is bold, creamy, and packed with flavor 🌶️🍤
Here’s a restaurant-style recipe that’s easy to make at home.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 8–10 oz smoked sausage or andouille, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½–2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (to taste)
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Optional: bell peppers or onions
- Optional garnish: parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Cook pasta:
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water; drain. - Season shrimp:
Toss shrimp with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. - Cook sausage:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown sausage slices. Remove and set aside. - Cook shrimp:
In same skillet, cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until pink. Remove. - Make sauce:
Lower heat. Add garlic (and veggies if using), sauté briefly.
Add cream, broth, remaining Cajun seasoning, and paprika. Simmer 3–5 minutes. - Combine:
Stir in Parmesan, sausage, shrimp, and pasta. Add pasta water if needed. - Serve:
Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish and serve hot.
Tips
- Use andouille for authentic Cajun flavor
- Don’t overcook shrimp—they get rubbery fast
- For extra heat, add crushed red pepper
- Lighter version: use half-and-half instead of cream
If you want, I can also give you a one-pot version, a non-creamy Cajun pasta, or a blackened shrimp twist.
