Cajun shrimp pasta with sausage is a frequent dish I make often. I have never been to New Orleans, but I had my share of Cajun pasta at a few different restaurants in New York City. I hope to one day visit New Orleans to try the real authentic version, but in the meantime, mine is really good. It is packed with flavor and spices.
For my Cajun pasta I like to use shrimp, sausage, or chicken. All three are great in pasta. However, there is just something special about mixing shrimp and sausage together. They both pair so well and the flavors work great.
My pasta isn’t on the extreme spicy side. However, feel free to add more cayenne pepper or pepper flakes. The sausage, which is spicy, gives me enough heat so it works well without adding so much pepper to this dish.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
Ingredients
- 4 cups Penne Pasta, salt to taste
- 10 -12 pcs Shrimp, medium with tail-off
- 2 Smoked Hot Sausage Links, I used Caroline
- ½ Lime
- ½ Cup Onion, chopped
- ½ Red Bell Pepper, chopped
- ½ Green Bell Pepper, chopped
- ½ tsp Adobo Powder
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ⅛ tsp Black Pepper
- ⅛ tsp Paprika
- ⅛ tsp Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 5 tbsp Water
- 4 tbsp Grapeseed Oil or Vegetable
Instructions
- Step 1: Clean your shrimp with cold water and ½ a lime. This helps with the fishy smell and it makes your shrimp absorb a nice flavor.
- Step 2: Season your shrimp with adobo powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cajun seasoning, and paprika. Mix well and let it marinate for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Step 3: In a large nonstick skillet over medium- heat add your oil and onions. I stir fry the onions for about 2 – 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Mix 5 tbsp of water and tomato paste to the pan. Mix well for 1 minute on medium heat
- Step 5: Add in your shrimp and let it cook for 5 -6 minutes on medium-low heat. Turn it on both sides to cook evenly.
- Step 6: While your shrimp is cooking, lightly fry your sausage in another pan.
- Step 7: Add your sausage to the shrimp and mix in well. I leave it on low heat for 2 -3 minutes.
- Step 8: Add in your peppers and cook it for another 5 minutes on low heat.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
While you are preparing your cajun shrimp and sausage. You should work on cooking your pasta in another pot. Please add salt to taste when boiling your pasta in water. This is important!
As I cook my shrimp, sausage, and pasta. I start working on my sauce. I prefer to blend my garlic and half and half. It makes the half and half more creamy in my opinion and flavorful.
Cajun Creamy Sauce
Ingredients
- Blender/ NutriBullet
- 2 cups Half & Half
- 4 Garlic Bulbs
- 1 tbsp Butter
- ½ tsp Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ⅛ tsp Adobo Powder
- ½ tsp Coconut Brown Sugar
- ⅛ tsp Cayenne Pepper, optional
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese
- pinch Dry Parsley, to garnish
- dash Parmesan grated cheese, to garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: In a nutribullet or blender add 4 garlic cloves and 2 cups of half & half and blend.
- Step 2: Add 1 tbsp of butter and allow it to melt.
- Step 3:Now Add your half and half that you've blended in the pan and mix well.
- Step 4: Add your cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne pepper, coconut brown sugar, and adobo, and mix well.
- Step 5: Add in your mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Stir it well and let it cook on low heat for 2 minutes.
- Step 6: Add your sauce in the shrimp and pasta.
- Step 7: Mix everything well together and let it cook on low-heat for 2-3 minutes.
I love to garnish my pasta with parsley and grated parmesan cheese. I typically use a pinch of parsley and a dash of grated parmesan cheese. I also sprinkle more paprika over my pasta for color.
As I stated earlier in this post if you like your cajun pasta on the spicier side add more cayenne, or you can leave it as is, and enjoy!
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