Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta Recipe For Spicy Food Lovers

Creamy, spicy pasta nights just got a whole lot more exciting with this cajun shrimp and sausage pasta recipe that packs a serious flavor punch.

Southern-style cooking delivers bold, mouthwatering combinations that dance across your taste buds.

Andouille sausage and plump shrimp create a hearty blend of proteins that sing with robust Cajun seasonings.

Zesty spices mingle with tender pasta, creating a meal that feels like a celebration on your plate.

Each bite brings a warm, rich experience straight from Louisiana’s culinary traditions.

The sauce coats every noodle with a perfect balance of heat and creaminess that keeps you coming back for more.

Cajun Shrimp Sausage Pasta: The Flavors Explained

• Spice Up Your Meal: Blast your taste buds with bold Cajun flavors that transform an ordinary pasta dish into a zesty, restaurant-worthy experience.
• Quick and Satisfying Dinner: Prepare a hearty one-pan meal that combines protein-packed shrimp and sausage with creamy tomato sauce in under an hour.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Create a delicious crowd-pleaser that appeals to both adults and kids, with its rich, creamy texture and mild spice profile that doesn't overwhelm.
• Minimal Cleanup Magic: Enjoy a delectable dinner that uses just one pan, reducing kitchen mess and making post-meal cleanup a breeze.

Ingredients For Cajun Shrimp Sausage Pasta

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that provides a delicate and sweet flavor to the dish.
• Sausage: Adds a rich, spicy element and hearty texture to the pasta.

• Onion, Red Bell Pepper: Create a flavorful base and provide a sweet, slightly crunchy texture.
• Garlic: Offers a pungent and aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Cajun Seasoning, Oregano: Provide a bold, spicy, and herbal profile to the dish.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the spicy and savory elements.
• Crushed Tomatoes, Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Form a creamy and rich sauce base.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces a salty and nutty flavor, helping to thicken the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking and adding a smooth, light flavor.
• Parsley: Offers a fresh, bright garnish to finish the dish.
• Pasta: Serves as the main carbohydrate and carrier for the sauce and other ingredients.

Cooking Cajun Shrimp Sausage Pasta Steps

Step 1: Spice Up the Shrimp

Generously coat shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and oregano.

Make sure each piece is thoroughly seasoned for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Sear the Shrimp

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil.

Carefully place seasoned shrimp in the pan and cook for 2 minutes.

Flip each shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until they turn pink and slightly crispy.

Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.

Step 3: Brown the Sausage

In the same skillet, add a touch more olive oil.

Toss in the sausage and brown for 4-5 minutes, creating a delicious caramelized exterior.

Remove sausage and set aside with the shrimp.

Step 4: Boil the Pasta

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until it reaches al dente perfection.

Drain and set aside.

Step 5: Create the Flavor Base

Reduce heat to medium and add olive oil to the skillet.

• Diced onions
• Chopped red bell peppers
• Cajun seasoning
• Brown sugar
• Pinch of salt

Sauté until vegetables soften and caramelize, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the pan.

Step 6: Bloom the Garlic

Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Step 7: Build the Creamy Sauce

• Crushed tomatoes
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream

Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly and scraping the pan’s bottom.

Let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes to develop rich flavors.

Step 8: Combine and Finish

Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated.

Add cooked pasta and sausage, stirring to coat everything in the creamy sauce.

Heat for 2-3 minutes.

Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Gently fold in the reserved shrimp.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your spicy, creamy Cajun masterpiece.

Pro Cajun Pasta Cooking Tips

• Adjust Cajun seasoning to your heat tolerance, adding more or less based on personal preference for a perfectly balanced dish.
• Cook shrimp quickly on high heat to prevent overcooking, keeping them tender and juicy with a slight golden exterior.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining to help create a silkier sauce if the mixture seems too thick while combining ingredients.
• Brown sausage separately to develop deep, caramelized flavors that enhance the overall taste of the pasta dish.
• Garnish with fresh chopped parsley right before serving to add a bright, herbaceous note and visual appeal to the dish.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta: Tasty Variations

• Vegetarian Cajun Pasta: Replace shrimp and sausage with plant-based protein like seasoned tofu cubes or seitan, maintaining the Cajun spice profile and creamy tomato sauce.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure Cajun seasoning is gluten-free, substituting regular ingredients with certified gluten-free alternatives.
• Lighter Cream Sauce Option: Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for a healthier, lower-fat version while preserving the rich, spicy flavor of the original recipe.
• Seafood Swap Variation: Replace shrimp with chunks of white fish like cod or halibut, keeping the Cajun seasoning and overall cooking method intact for a different protein experience.

How To Serve Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Spicy Seafood Fiesta: Garnish with extra chopped parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a vibrant, zesty kick that enhances the Cajun flavors.
• Southern Comfort Plating: Serve in wide, shallow bowls with crusty French bread on the side to soak up the rich, creamy sauce and capture every delicious drop.
• Fresh and Bright Finish: Top with thinly sliced green onions and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to add a tangy brightness that cuts through the richness of the pasta.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the spicy, creamy dish with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio that balances the bold Cajun seasonings.

Store Cajun Shrimp Sausage Pasta Safely

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Seal the pasta tightly to prevent moisture loss and keep flavors fresh.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or bags. Will maintain quality for 1-2 months. Avoid freezing cream-based sauces if possible, as they might separate.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle until warmed through. Stop heating once the pasta reaches desired temperature.

FAQs

• What gives this pasta its bold Cajun flavor?

The combination of Cajun seasoning used multiple times throughout cooking – on the shrimp, in the vegetable sauté, and throughout the sauce – creates layers of spicy, complex flavor that defines the dish’s authentic Cajun profile.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Absolutely! Simply reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or use a mild version. You can also add less or omit the red pepper entirely to decrease the heat level while maintaining the delicious flavor.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, this pasta reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Just be careful not to overcook the shrimp when reheating to keep them tender and juicy.

Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Cajun shrimp and sausage pasta dances with bold Louisiana flavors, combining zesty seafood and smoky sausage in a creamy, pepper-packed sauce. Hearty comfort meets Southern charm, delivering a quick one-pot meal that will energize your dinner table with authentic Creole spirit.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 6 ounces (170 grams) andouille sausage or smoked sausage (thinly sliced)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1/2 yellow onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
• 2–3 cloves garlic (chopped)

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (or Creole seasoning)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:

• 10 ounces (283 grams) fettuccine pasta
• 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth (sodium free)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2/3 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped)

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Instructions

1. Marinate shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and oregano, ensuring thorough coating.
2. Sear shrimp in a hot skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until golden, then transfer to a separate plate.
3. Brown sausage in the same skillet for 4-5 minutes, then remove and set aside.
4. Simultaneously, cook pasta in salted water until perfectly al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
5. Reduce skillet heat, add olive oil, and sauté onions and red bell peppers with Cajun seasoning, brown sugar, and salt until vegetables soften and caramelize.
6. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
7. Pour crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream into the skillet, creating a rich sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping pan’s bottom to incorporate browned bits.
8. Blend grated Parmesan into the sauce, then fold in cooked pasta and sausage. Heat thoroughly for 2-3 minutes, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper.
9. Gently reintroduce seared shrimp to the pasta, warming them without overcooking.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.

Notes

• Adjust Cajun seasoning based on personal heat tolerance, using mild or hot varieties to customize the dish’s spiciness.
• Replace shrimp with chicken or plant-based alternatives like tofu for different dietary preferences or restrictions.
• Ensure shrimp are cooked precisely to avoid becoming rubbery, watching carefully during the 2-3 minute cooking window.
• Use room temperature cream to prevent sauce from breaking and maintain a smooth, silky texture throughout cooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg