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Flavorful Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe with Andouille Sausage Easy

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A quick and easy creamy Cajun shrimp pasta with smoky andouille sausage, rich cream sauce, and perfectly cooked penne. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish balances bold flavors and comforting textures.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp (medium to large) – fresh or frozen
  • 8 ounces andouille sausage, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened (optional)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Optional: red pepper flakes
  • Optional: fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 8 ounces sliced andouille sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and let it melt. Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning over the onions and garlic, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 2 ounces softened cream cheese. Whisk continuously until cream cheese is melted and sauce is smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Stir in ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce thickens slightly. Taste and add salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time for desired consistency.
  7. Push sauce to one side of the skillet and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on each side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking to keep shrimp tender.
  8. Return browned andouille sausage to the skillet. Add cooked penne pasta and gently toss everything together over low heat to coat pasta evenly in the creamy Cajun sauce. Warm through for another 1-2 minutes.
  9. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon juice or add red pepper flakes for extra heat.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to keep them tender. Whisk cream cheese slowly to avoid lumps. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Browning the sausage adds smoky flavor and texture. Use fresh garlic and onions for best flavor. Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and verify Cajun seasoning is gluten-free. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, creamy pasta, andouille sausage, quick dinner, spicy pasta, easy weeknight meal, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/flavorful-creamy-cajun-shrimp-pasta-recipe-with-andouille-sausage-easy/