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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy Spicy Andouille Dinner

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A creamy and spicy Cajun shrimp pasta featuring smoky Andouille sausage, tender shrimp, and a rich sauce that balances bold flavors with comforting textures. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy meals with a kick.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta (spaghetti works if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional: fresh lemon juice, a squeeze at the end
  • Optional: grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced Andouille sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned and slightly crispy. Remove sausage and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add peeled shrimp. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside with sausage.
  4. Lower heat to medium, add remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Sauté minced garlic and chopped onion until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes, avoiding browning.
  5. Stir in smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 30 seconds to toast spices, then pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine.
  6. Let sauce simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if sauce becomes too thick.
  7. Return cooked shrimp and sausage to the pan. Toss to coat proteins in the sauce. Add drained pasta and gently mix to evenly coat noodles.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra Cajun seasoning if desired. Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle chopped parsley.
  9. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when sautéing shrimp to avoid steaming and rubbery texture. Use low to medium heat to prevent cream from curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Removing shrimp and sausage before making sauce prevents overcooking. For dairy-free, substitute cream with canned coconut milk and butter with dairy-free alternatives. Leftovers keep for up to 2 days refrigerated; reheat gently with added broth or cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, creamy pasta, Andouille sausage, spicy pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Southern cuisine

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