Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
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.
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.
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.
Add the shrimp to the hot pan and sear on one side for a few minutes (image 1).
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
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).
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).
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Cajun Salmon Pasta
- Fried Spaghetti
- Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
- White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
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
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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!
Quick, easy, & super flavorful. Pre-teen approved!
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!
WOAH!! Huge compliment, thank you!!
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!
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.
My kids looooved it. Putting in permanent dinner rotation!
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! And a great filling portion size!
So far my favorite recipe! Although we live so many of them. Almost every dinner, some times every meal is from Ohsnapmacros!
So good!! This is a pretty common meal in our house. Kid approved!
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
This was fantastic! Tastes like 1,000 calories, but it’s not! So good, thank you:)
This is a go to Sunday night supper here! I substitute chicken instead of shrimp because I’m allergic and it is fantastic.
One of my favorite weeknight meals! So flavorful and easy to throw together
Great flavor and macros!
Thank you!
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!
This is one of my families favorites too! Happy to hear you feel the same!
House favorite. Picky teen girls always polish theirs off!!
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!!
DELICIOUS!!! And so easy to make. My family absolutely loved this.. 😋
I love when the fam approves!
We love this meal. I do omit some of the Cajun spice because of my toddler but it’s still toddler approved!!! Thank you!
This is my whole family’s new favorite recipe…they constantly ask for it. Easy to make and so incredibly delicious!
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
Easy and delicious. In our meal prep rotation a minimum of twice a month!
This was so great! Adding into the regular rotation.
Great to hear!!! Thank you!