Description
Zesty Cajun shrimp pasta with sausage combines spicy southern flavors in one irresistible dish. Creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned seafood promise a mouthwatering meal that satisfies your craving for bold, comforting cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 6 ounces (170 grams) andouille or smoked sausage (thinly sliced)
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1/2 yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 2/3 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 10 ounces (280 grams) fettuccine pasta
- 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth (sodium-free)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and oregano, ensuring even coating.
- Sear shrimp in hot olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes total, cooking until pink and opaque. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Caramelize sliced sausage in the same skillet until golden brown and crispy, approximately 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Cook fettuccine in heavily salted boiling water until perfectly al dente, following package instructions. Reserve pasta water, then drain.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and sauté onions and red bell peppers with Cajun seasoning and brown sugar until vegetables become tender and slightly translucent.
- Introduce minced garlic and cook until aromatic, then pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Scrape skillet to incorporate browned bits.
- Simmer sauce and gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Incorporate cooked fettuccine and sausage into the sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete coverage. Warm through for 2-3 minutes.
- Gently fold in seared shrimp, allowing them to heat without overcooking. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Customize the Cajun seasoning intensity by adjusting the amount to suit personal heat preferences, ensuring a balanced flavor profile without overwhelming spiciness.
- Swap protein options seamlessly by substituting shrimp with chicken or using plant-based sausage for a vegetarian twist, maintaining the dish’s robust flavor structure.
- Prevent seafood from becoming rubbery by cooking shrimp just until they turn pink and curl slightly, which guarantees tender and succulent results every time.
- Create a lighter version by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reducing the Parmesan quantity, cutting calories without sacrificing the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 508 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 175 mg