Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage

This Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage recipe is a flavorful and satisfying dish that brings the bold and spicy flavors of Cajun cuisine to your dinner table. With succulent shrimp, savory sausage, and a creamy Cajun-infused sauce, this pasta dish is sure to impress.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or Creole seasoning)
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 oz andouille sausage or smoked sausage, thinly sliced
• 10 ounces fettuccine pasta
• ½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (or Creole seasoning)
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup sodium-free chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ⅔ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Shrimp:

• Toss the shrimp with salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, and oregano until well coated.

1. Cook the Shrimp and Sausage:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp over and cook for an additional minute or two. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed and brown the sliced sausage until caramelized, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

1. Cook the Pasta:

• Cook the fettuccine pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

1. Prepare the Sauce:

• Lower the heat to medium and add a bit more olive oil to the skillet.
• Add the thinly sliced onion, red bell pepper, Cajun seasoning, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Sauté until the onion and pepper have softened slightly.
• Add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

1. Combine and Serve:

• Once simmering, add the grated Parmesan and stir until melted and blended into the sauce.
• Add the cooked pasta and sausage to the skillet, stirring to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add the cooked shrimp to the skillet.
• Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Tips:

• Adjust the level of Cajun seasoning according to your preference for spiciness.
• Be cautious with the salt, as some Cajun seasoning blends may already contain salt.
• Serve the Cajun Shrimp Pasta with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.