Description
A quick, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring smoky Andouille sausage, juicy shrimp, and a rich, spicy Cajun cream sauce tossed with pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup pasta water (reserved)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Dice onion, mince garlic, slice sausage, and thaw/shrimp. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced Andouille sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned and crispy. Remove sausage if pan is small, or push to side.
- Add diced onion and red bell pepper (if using) to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onion softens. Add minced garlic and Cajun seasoning; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream and stir well. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Add shrimp to the sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Do not overcook.
- Add cooked pasta and sausage back into the pan. Toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
- Serve immediately topped with chopped green onions and extra Cajun seasoning if desired.
Notes
Do not overcook the shrimp or they will become rubbery. Save the starchy pasta water to help thicken the sauce. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. If the sauce separates, ensure the cream is not too cold when added. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cajun pasta, shrimp and sausage, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner, one-pan meal, easy dinner, spicy pasta