Description
A flavorful and hearty Cajun shrimp and sausage pasta featuring tender shrimp, crispy smoked sausage, and a creamy Cajun-spiced sauce served over perfectly cooked pasta. This quick and satisfying dish is ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 10.5 oz (300 g) pasta
Protein
- 1/2 lb (225 g) shrimp
- 1/2 lb (225 g) smoked sausage, sliced
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 large shallot, finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
Sauce & Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup half and half
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- A handful fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through until they are pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Sausage: In the same pan, add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage and set it aside with the shrimp.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced shallot and sliced red bell pepper to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the finely chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in Cajun seasoning and tomato paste, then add the chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
- Add Cream: Pour in the half and half, stir to combine, and let the sauce bubble gently on low heat for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return Proteins: Add the cooked shrimp and sausage back into the pan and stir to incorporate into the sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss well to coat the noodles in the Cajun creamy sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Finish & Serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Adjust salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- This Cajun shrimp and sausage pasta is packed with bold flavors and makes a quick, satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it thickens too much.
- Use low-sodium chicken stock to better control the salt level in the dish.
- Feel free to swap half and half for heavy cream for a richer sauce or milk for a lighter version.
- Add extra Cajun seasoning if you prefer a spicier dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 535 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 591 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 181 mg
