Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage

This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage is a Louisianan dream. Spicy, creamy sauce with buttery shrimp topped with roasted red bell pepper chicken sausage creates a melt in your mouth flavor bomb that's ready in less than 30 minutes.
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Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage

If you love easy pasta dinners like Fried Spaghetti, Lazy Lasagna, and Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo, this Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a must-try. It’s all about the seasoning and this one will not disappoint.

This simple and easy weeknight meal is ready in under 30 minutes and results in the best creamy and spicy pasta with tender shrimp and crisp sausage in every bite.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Restaurant quality but dare I say better .. 
  • Ready in under 30 minutes. 
  • Succulent shrimp and savory sausage tossed in a “better for you” cream sauce.
  • Cajun Seasoning works on other things like salmon or beef.

Choosing your shrimp

I like using large, deveined, peeled frozen shrimp is ideal to save on time. I swear by Waterfront Bistro frozen shrimp. Fresh is always the best option just be sure to remove the black vein on the underside!

Alternatively, you can use pre-cooked shrimp. Coat it in the seasonings and use the pan to hear it without overcooking and set aside until the end when you combine the creamy Cajun pasta dish.

Ingredients:

These are the main ingredients for this cajun shrimp pasta. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients list and instructions. 

Ingredients laid out.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Sausage: this recipe calls for Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Garlic Chicken Sausage. Switch out for any flavor sausage, smoked sausage or andouille sausage are my favorite options!
  • Bowtie Pasta: any preferred noodle works as well as gluten-free.
  • Cajun Seasoning: you can use your favorite creole seasoning or make this homemade Cajun seasoning which is sugar-free and delicious. If using store bought you may need to use less seasoning as they tend to be extra salty. 
  • Add any vegetables your heart desires to this pasta!

How to make this Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage (a visual step-by-step guide):

Step 1: Prep your shrimp and Cajun seasoning

Prep your frozen shrimp by placing it in a bowl of luke warm water to defrost. In a small bowl mix together all Cajun seasonings and set aside. 

Step 2: Boil off the pasta

Boil a large pot of water and cook your bowtie pasta according to the package instructions. When draining the pasta I like to leave a little water in as I add it to the pasta sauce to keep the sauce creamy.

Step 3: Sauté the shrimp

While the pasta boils add 1 Tbsp. of oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning to the bowl of raw shrimp and mix together well. Chop your sausage into bite-size pieces.

Seasoned shrimp cooking in a pan.

Add the shrimp to the hot pan and sear on one side for a few minutes (image 1).

Seasoned shrimp and cut sausage in a pan.

Flip and add the sausage. Cook until the shrimp is no longer translucent and fully cooked (image 2). Remove the shrimp and sausage from the pan and set aside.

Step 4: Make the spicy alfredo sauce

Butter and garlic in a pan.

In the same pan you cooked the shrimp and sausage add in 2 Tbsp. of butter. Once the butter has melted add garlic and simmer until you begin to smell the garlic (image 3).

Flour added and turned into a paste.

Add 2 Tbsp. flour and stir until you have a thick paste or roux scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan (image 4).

Half and half added to paste.

Slowly add the half and half a little as a time to the roux and whisk until the flour is no longer chunky and the sauce begins to thicken. This takes approximately 5 minutes (image 5). Remove from the heat.

Seasonings and cheese added to pan.

Add 1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning to the sauce and stir together well. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese in the sauce and mix together well (image 6).

Step 5: Mix together to combine

Cooked pasta added to the sauce.

Add the cooked and drained noodles to the sauce and mix together to evenly coat (image 7). I like to keep a small amount of water in the pasta so that it keeps the sauce creamy.

Sausage and shrimp added back to the pasta and mixed together.

Add the shrimp and sausage directly to the pasta and mix together well to coat (image 8).

How to serve

You can serve the Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage alone or with a side salad. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If needed add a little water when reheating to keep it creamy.

Paste plated on a plate with sausage and shrimp mixed in.

Nutrition info

This recipe makes 6 servings of Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage. You will need to measure your final cooked pasta dish and divide by the number or servings for the must accurate measurements per serving. 

Nutrition facts for pasta only: 262 calories 10 P / 42 C / 6 F 

Nutrition facts with shrimp and sausage: 444 calories 38 P / 43 C / 13 F 

If you like this recipe be sure to check out some of our other hearty pasta recipes!

If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and/or comment! Tag me on Instagram @ohsnapmacros, I love hearing from you!

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage

Danielle Lima
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage is a Louisianan dream. Spicy, creamy sauce with buttery shrimp topped with roasted red bell pepper chicken sausage creates a melt in your mouth flavor bomb that's ready in less than 30 minutes.
4.96 from 22 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 444 kcal

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 lbs.  frozen medium size shrimp (deveined with tails off Waterfront Bistro brand)
  • 4 Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Chicken Sausage Links (Open Nature Brand)
  • 10 oz. Bow Tie Pasta, Farfalle (Barilla uncooked)
  • 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 1/3 cup (300ml) Fat Free Half and Half
  • 1/4 cup  (28g) Parmesan & Romano Shredded Cheese
  • 1 Tbsp. Cajun Seasoning (for shrimp)
  • 1 Tbsp. Cajun Seasoning (for sauce)
  • Chopped Parsley for garnish

Cajun Seasoning

  • 3 Tbsp. Smoked Paprika
  • 1.5 Tbsp. Salt
  • 2 Tbsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tbsp.  Onion Powder
  • 1 Tbsp.  dried Oregano
  • 1 Tbsp. Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Instructions
 

For this creamy cajun shrimp pasta with sausage:

  • Prep your frozen shrimp by placing it in a bowl of luke warm water to defrost. 
  • In a small bowl mix together all Cajun seasonings and set aside. 
  • Boil a pot of water and cook your bowtie pasta according to the package. When draining the pasta I like to leave a little water in as I add it to the pasta sauce to keep the sauce creamy. 
  • While the pasta boils add 1 Tbsp. of oil to a pan over medium. Add 1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning to the bowl of thawed shrimp and mix together well. Chop your sausage into bite size pieces. Add the shrimp to the hot pan and sear on one side for a few minutes. Flip and add the sausage. Cook until the shrimp is no longer translucent and fully cooked. Remove the shrimp and sausage from the pan and set aside. 
  • In the same pan you cooked the shrimp and sausage add in 2 Tbsp. of butter. Once the butter has melted add garlic and simmer until you begin to smell the garlic. Add 2 Tbsp. flour and stir until you have a thick pasta, or roux. 
  • Slowly add the half and half a little as a time to the roux and whisk until the flour is no longer chunky and the sauce begins to thicken. This takes approximately 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • Add 1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning to the sauce and stir together well. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese in the sauce and mix together well. 
  • Add the cooked and drained noodles to the sauce and mix together to evenly coat. I like to keep a small amount of water in the pasta so that it keeps the creamy cajun shrimp pasta with sausage sauce nice and creamy.
  • Add the shrimp and sausage directly to the pasta and mix together well to coat. Top with chopped parsley. Enjoy your quick and creamy cajun shrimp pasta with sausage.

Notes

  • Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary with substitutions. 
  • If too watery, leave on the stove for longer to thicken up or add flour in small amounts until desired consistency.
  • If meal prepping, add more milk or half and half in the morning if needed.
  • Switch out the sausage for your favorite flavor. 
  • Use any pasta you want!
If using store-bought seasoning vs. homemade you may need to use less seasoning as they tend to be extra salty. 

Nutrition

Serving: 270gCalories: 444kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 38gFat: 13gFiber: 1.7g
Keyword cajun shrimp, pasta, sausage
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

27 Comments

  1. This is my husband’s go to dish at restaurants. Not only did he love it but said it was as good if not better than most restaurants. And it was quick to make!

  2. Seconding another review… my husband LOVED this!! It’s his go to at restaurants and this was definitely better than most we’ve had and so easy to make. Next time I will probably not use the sausage and add in veggies instead. This would be so good with spinach, multi colored peppers and some artichoke hearts! Delicious!

  3. 5 stars
    My family, especially my husband who is from Louisiana. The flavor was excellent and it was very easy to whip up for dinner with a side salad.

  4. 5 stars
    So far my favorite recipe! Although we live so many of them. Almost every dinner, some times every meal is from Ohsnapmacros!

  5. Delicious! I loved this. Creamy with a good kick to it. My kids thought it was a little too spicy, so I may try to take out a little smidge of the cayenne pepper and see if that helps. Very good though

  6. 5 stars
    This is a go to Sunday night supper here! I substitute chicken instead of shrimp because I’m allergic and it is fantastic.

  7. 5 stars
    This is literally amazing! I’ve made it twice now and my husband has raved about it both times. The second time I halved the Cajun seasoning because I’m a wimp and it was too much of a kick for me, added a sautéed red bell pepper for a little veggie, and it was perfection! I’m keeping this one on my list of favorites to keep making!

  8. 5 stars
    Another delicious meal to add to the lineup! I used smoked Turkey sausage since I had that in fridge and it turned out delicious!! Kids loved it as well!!

  9. 5 stars
    We love this meal. I do omit some of the Cajun spice because of my toddler but it’s still toddler approved!!! Thank you!

  10. 5 stars
    This is my whole family’s new favorite recipe…they constantly ask for it. Easy to make and so incredibly delicious!

  11. 5 stars
    This recipe was so good! I made it for my meal prep for the week and ate it for 6 days it reheated well. Will be making again soon

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