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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Marinate shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and oregano, ensuring thorough coating.
- 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.
- Brown sausage in the same skillet for 4-5 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Simultaneously, cook pasta in salted water until perfectly al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- 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.
- Incorporate minced garlic, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- 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.
- 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.
- Gently reintroduce seared shrimp to the pasta, warming them without overcooking.
- 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