Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
A spicy and creamy Cajun shrimp pasta dish with blackened shrimp and andouille sausage.
A spicy and creamy Cajun shrimp pasta dish with blackened shrimp and andouille sausage.
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- â¾ cup chicken broth
- grated parmesan and chopped parsley for serving
- 12 ounces fettuccine
- â½ pound large shrimp peeled and deveined, tails removed
- 1 andouille sausage about â½ pound, sliced into rounds
- 1 - 2 tablespoons cajun/creole spice mix adjust to your spice/heat level
- â½ medium yellow onion thinly sliced
- â½ red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon cajun/creole spice mix
- 1 - 2 cloves garlic finely chopped (1 large or 2 small)
- â½ cup crushed tomatoes
- â¾ cup heavy cream or â½ & â½ (i prefer heavy cream!!)
- kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper
- Carbohydrate 70.26567269025 g
- Cholesterol 23.136 mg
- Fat 10.4369273246608 g
- Fiber 9.57481763101086 g
- Protein 11.2794770197756 g
- Saturated Fat 3.09552885095447 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (122g)
- Sodium 221.658738327971 mg
- Sugar 60.6908550592392 g
- Trans Fat 1.04432527466929 g
- Calories 413 calories
Step-by-step
- Bring large pot of water to boil for pasta.
- Toss shrimp with 1-2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and coat well.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle bottom of pan with olive oil.
- Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes or so until starting to curl.
- Flip shrimp over and cook another minute or two and then remove to a plate and set aside.
- Drizzle pan with a little more olive oil, add sausage and brown until nicely caramelized, about 4-5 minutes.
- Remove to plate, set aside.
- Add pasta to salted boiling water and cook until al dente, a minute less than package instructions.
- Lower heat to medium and add another good drizzle of olive oil to the pan, add the onion, red bell pepper, thyme, smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, brown sugar and a generous pinch of salt.
- Sauté until onion and pepper have softened a bit, scraping up any browned bits that you can.
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add crushed tomatoes, chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pan, simmer a couple minutes.
- Add cream and stir to combine, bring to a simmer.
- Once simmering, add cooked pasta and andouille sausage and stir to combine and heat through, 2-3 minutes.
- Add more chicken broth or cream if it seems dry or you'd like more sauce (I added ¼ cup of each).
- Salt and pepper to taste and then lastly, add blackened shrimp and combine, or place shrimp on top of pasta.
- Sprinkle with some more freshly cracked black pepper, grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
- Enjoy!
My Go-To Comfort Food: Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook a delicious and satisfying meal can feel like a Herculean task. Between juggling work deadlines, school pick-ups, and the never-ending cycle of laundry, a quick and easy recipe that doesn't sacrifice flavor is a lifesaver. That's where my Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta comes in. This dish is my go-to comfort food, a perfect blend of spicy Cajun flavors and creamy indulgence that always leaves me feeling nourished and content.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. It doesn't require any obscure or hard-to-find ingredients; most of what you need is probably already sitting in your pantry. The process is straightforward and quick, perfect for those weeknights when you're short on time but craving something flavorful. I often find myself making a double batch, as leftovers are just as delicious the next day—perfect for a quick lunch or a stress-free dinner.
What makes this recipe special?
It's the perfect balance of flavors. The Cajun seasoning brings a delightful kick, while the creamy sauce adds richness and depth. The sweetness of the brown sugar perfectly complements the savory notes of the andouille sausage and the shrimp. And don't even get me started on the aroma—it fills the entire kitchen with a tantalizing scent that'll have your family begging for seconds.
Beyond the Recipe:
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is more than just a meal; it's an experience. It’s the comforting aroma filling my home, the satisfying sounds of the shrimp sizzling in the pan, and the joy of sharing a delicious, homemade meal with my loved ones. It’s a reminder to slow down, even amidst the chaos of daily life, and savor the simple pleasures. It's a way to show my family I care, even when time is tight. It's about creating memories around the dinner table—memories that are just as delicious as the pasta itself.
For me, cooking is an act of love. It's a way to nourish not just my family's bodies, but also their souls. This recipe is a testament to that philosophy. It’s a quick, easy, and delicious meal that embodies the heart of home-cooked food, proving that even the busiest of lives can still find time for a little bit of culinary magic. So grab your ingredients, put on some music, and let's get cooking!
Tips and variations:
Spice Level: Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your preference. If you prefer a milder dish, start with just one tablespoon. If you like it hot, feel free to add more.
Pasta Type: Feel free to experiment with different types of pasta. Fettuccine works beautifully, but you could also use linguine, spaghetti, or even penne.
Protein Swap: If you're not a fan of shrimp or sausage, you can easily substitute other proteins, such as chicken, scallops, or even tofu.
Veggie Boost: Add other vegetables to the sauce, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach, to make it even more nutritious.
Make it Ahead: You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat it before adding the pasta and shrimp.
No matter how you choose to make it, this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is sure to become a new family favorite. It’s the perfect balance of flavor, convenience, and heartwarming comfort, all rolled into one delicious dish.
