Description
Spicy Cajun shrimp pasta with andouille sausage delivers a bold Louisiana-inspired flavor explosion that dances across taste buds. Rich, zesty ingredients combine in a hearty dish promising a culinary journey through southern comfort and fiery excitement you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces (226 grams) andouille sausage, sliced
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne or fettuccine pasta
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), sliced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Carefully set aside 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil and sear Andouille sausage until achieving a rich, caramelized exterior. Transfer browned sausage to a separate plate.
- Within the same skillet, introduce additional olive oil and rapidly cook shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook until shrimp transform into a vibrant pink and become completely opaque. Remove shrimp and reserve.
- Utilize the identical skillet to sauté diced onions and bell peppers, cooking until vegetables soften and release their aromatic qualities. Introduce minced garlic and toast briefly until fragrant.
- Stream chicken broth and heavy cream into the vegetable mixture, allowing the liquid to simmer and gradually reduce, creating a luxurious, slightly thickened sauce.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and integrates smoothly into the sauce.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated. Adjust sauce consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water as needed.
- Reintroduce seared sausage and cooked shrimp into the pasta, gently tossing to distribute ingredients uniformly and reheat.
- Taste and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper to enhance overall flavor profile.
- Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley and serving immediately, accompanied by optional lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy accent.
Notes
- Select high-quality shrimp for the best flavor, preferring fresh or properly thawed frozen shrimp with firm texture and clean smell.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by controlling cayenne pepper amount, making the dish mild or extra spicy based on personal heat preference.
- Use heavy cream at room temperature to prevent sauce from breaking and ensure smooth, creamy consistency when combining with cheese.
- Consider gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for those with dietary restrictions while maintaining similar flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg