Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sausage Pasta (Printable Version)
Bold pasta with shrimp, turkey sausage, Cajun spices, and a rich creamy sauce for a comforting meal.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 8 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 8 oz turkey sausage, sliced
→ Pasta
03 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
06 - 1 small yellow onion, sliced
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
08 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Liquids
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Oils
15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - Extra grated Parmesan, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, reserving 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water for sauce adjustment.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey sausage slices and cook 3-4 minutes until nicely browned. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to the skillet. Season shrimp with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and a pinch of salt. Cook 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque throughout. Remove from skillet and combine with sausage.
04 - In the same skillet, add sliced onions and bell peppers. Sauté 4-5 minutes until softened and edges begin to caramelize. Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour chicken broth into the skillet, bringing to a gentle simmer while scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Reduce heat to medium and stir in heavy cream, remaining Cajun seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Simmer 2-3 minutes until sauce coats the back of a spoon.
06 - Return cooked sausage and shrimp to the skillet. Add drained pasta, tossing thoroughly to coat everything in sauce. Add reserved pasta water only if needed to achieve desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish generously with parsley and additional Parmesan.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smoky turkey sausage and tender shrimp create this incredible protein pairing that feels luxurious but comes together in under 40 minutes
- That creamy Cajun sauce coats every piece of pasta perfectly, and the kick of heat warms you from the inside out
02 -
- Shrimp overcook faster than you think, so pull them the second they turn pink and opaque because rubbery shrimp will ruin this dish
- The sauce will look thin when you first add the cream but it thickens beautifully as it simmers, so don't be tempted to add flour or cornstarch
03 -
- Cold cream can sometimes curdle when added to a hot pan, so let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes before cooking
- If your sauce looks grainy, whisk in a tiny bit more pasta water and it should smooth right out