Spicy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Alfredo Pasta Recipe for Dinner

Twirling a fork into a creamy Cajun shrimp and sausage Alfredo pasta that bursts with bold Southern flavors.

Spicy sausage chunks and plump shrimp swim through silky sauce, creating a dish that feels like a Louisiana celebration.

Rich cream blends seamlessly with zesty seasonings, promising an explosion of taste in every bite.

Comfort meets excitement on your plate with this hearty meal.

Restaurants can’t compete with homemade magic like this recipe.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this incredible combination of ingredients.

Grab your skillet and let the culinary adventure begin!

What People Love About Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Alfredo Pasta

• Spice Up Your Plate: Cajun seasoning transforms this pasta from ordinary to extraordinary, delivering a bold, zesty kick that wakes up every single bite.
• Protein Party: Combining succulent shrimp and hearty sausage creates a protein-packed meal that satisfies serious hunger and delivers incredible flavor complexity.
• Quick Comfort Meal: This one-skillet wonder comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want restaurant-quality dinner without complicated preparation.
• Creamy Texture Delight: The rich Alfredo sauce blankets pasta and proteins in a luxurious, velvety coating that feels indulgent yet incredibly comforting.

Ingredients Used In Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Alfredo Pasta

• Pasta: A classic base for this creamy Cajun-style dish, perfect for soaking up the rich sauce.

• Shrimp, Sausage: Flavorful proteins that add a spicy and hearty element to the pasta, classic Cajun ingredients with a robust taste profile.

• Butter, Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth: Creamy base ingredients that create a luxurious and smooth sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty depth and helps thicken the sauce.
• Cajun Seasoning: Signature spice blend that gives the dish its signature Louisiana-style heat and complexity.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a pungent and bold flavor foundation.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Fresh Parsley, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Optional toppings for added color, freshness, and extra heat.

Steps To Make Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Alfredo Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle in a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil and drop in your pasta. Cook until it’s tender yet has a slight bite (al dente). Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside, letting it rest while you work your magic.

Step 2: Spice Up Those Shrimp

In a mixing bowl, sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the shrimp, giving them a vibrant coat of flavor. Heat a skillet until it’s sizzling hot. Melt butter and carefully place the seasoned shrimp into the pan. Cook them quickly, about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they turn a beautiful pink and look perfectly opaque. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and keep them warm.

Step 3: Brown the Sausage

Use the same skillet to create more flavor magic. Toss in the sliced sausage and let it sizzle and brown. Move the sausage around occasionally to ensure an even, golden-brown exterior. Once they’re looking deliciously crispy, remove and set aside with the shrimp.

Step 4: Craft the Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Lower the skillet’s heat and add more butter. Drop in minced garlic and let it dance around, releasing its aromatic magic. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring gently. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and watch it melt into a silky smooth sauce. Add a touch more Cajun seasoning for an extra kick. Let the sauce simmer and thicken, developing deep, rich flavors.

Step 5: Combine the Flavor Explosion

Tumble the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, coating each strand thoroughly. Gently fold in the cooked shrimp and sausage, creating a beautiful mixture of colors and textures. Let everything heat through, allowing the flavors to mingle and become best friends.

Step 6: Serve with Flair

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness. If you’re feeling adventurous, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for some extra excitement. Serve immediately while the dish is hot and steaming, ready to wow everyone at the table.

Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Alfredo Pasta Helpful Tips

• Boost Spice Levels: Adjust Cajun seasoning to match your heat preference by gradually adding more or using a spicier blend for extra kick.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap shrimp with chicken or andouille sausage for different flavor profiles or dietary needs.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with the creamy sauce.
• Balance Cream Sauce: Use room temperature cream and cheese to help create a smoother, more consistent Alfredo sauce without lumps.
• Quick Meal Prep: Chop ingredients and measure seasonings beforehand to streamline cooking and reduce total preparation time.

Storing Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Alfredo Pasta Safely

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. The dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 23 days.
• Microwave: Reheat individual portions on medium power for 12 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to prevent drying out.
• Stovetop: Gently warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Pour a little extra cream or broth to maintain sauce consistency and prevent sticking.
• Freeze: While possible, cream-based sauces can separate when frozen. If freezing, consume within 1 month and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating carefully.

What Goes With Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Alfredo Pasta

• Elevate with Crisp White Wine: Pair this spicy, creamy pasta with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to balance the rich Cajun flavors and cut through the heavy Alfredo sauce.
• Complement with Zesty Salad: Serve a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a fresh, tangy contrast to the hearty pasta, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Match with Buttery Garlic Bread: Add crusty garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce, providing a crispy texture and complementary garlicky undertones that enhance the dish's overall flavor profile.
• Cool Down with Citrus Slaw: Prepare a quick cabbage and citrus slaw with orange segments and a light vinaigrette to add brightness and crunch, balancing the pasta's richness and spice.

Tasty Variations Of Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Alfredo Pasta

• Smoky Seafood Fusion: Replace sausage with smoked salmon for a rich, oceanic flavor profile that elevates the classic Cajun pasta.
• Mediterranean Herb Escape: Swap Cajun seasoning with dried oregano, basil, and thyme, and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired transformation.
• Spicy Vegetarian Remix: Substitute shrimp and sausage with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and plant-based chorizo to create a vibrant, meat-free version.
• Creamy Chicken Adventure: Trade shrimp for grilled, diced chicken breast seasoned with Cajun spices, creating a protein-packed alternative that maintains the dish's zesty character.

Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Alfredo Pasta Questions

• What makes this Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Alfredo unique?

The combination of spicy Cajun seasoning with creamy Alfredo sauce creates a bold, flavor-packed dish that blends Cajun and Italian cuisines in one exciting recipe.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The Cajun seasoning adds a mild to moderate heat level, which you can easily adjust by increasing or decreasing the amount of seasoning to suit your spice tolerance.

• Can I use a different type of sausage?

Absolutely! Andouille sausage works best for authentic Cajun flavor, but you can substitute with smoked sausage, chicken sausage, or even chorizo for a different twist.

• Do I need any special cooking skills to make this recipe?

Not at all! This recipe is beginner-friendly and requires basic cooking techniques like sautéing and simmering. Even novice cooks can create this delicious meal with simple step-by-step instructions.

Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Alfredo Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Cajun shrimp and sausage dance together in this creamy Alfredo pasta, creating a bold Louisiana-inspired dish. Hearty comfort meets zesty flavors, promising a delicious journey through Southern culinary magic that will satisfy deep hunger.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 0.5 pounds (½ lb) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 0.5 pounds (½ lb) smoked sausage, sliced (e.g., andouille or kielbasa)

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) fettuccine or penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 0.75 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Optional Toppings:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Crushed red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, submerging the pasta until it reaches a perfect al dente texture. Carefully drain and reserve the cooked pasta.
2. Generously coat the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, ensuring an even distribution of spices. In a sizzling skillet, melt butter and transform the shrimp into a vibrant pink hue, cooking each side until opaque and tender. Transfer the succulent shrimp to a waiting plate.
3. Utilize the same skillet to render the sausage slices into a rich, caramelized golden-brown state. Once achieved, relocate the sausage alongside the shrimp.
4. Reduce the skillet’s temperature and introduce the remaining butter. Infuse the environment with minced garlic’s aromatic essence, sautéing briefly. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, creating a luxurious liquid base. Gently incorporate Parmesan cheese, whisking until a velvety smooth sauce emerges. Enhance with additional Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken.
5. Introduce the reserved pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is lavishly coated. Carefully fold in the shrimp and sausage, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Warm the entire mixture thoroughly.
6. Elevate the dish’s visual appeal by sprinkling fresh parsley and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Serve immediately to capture the peak of culinary delight.

Notes

• Customize the Spice Level by adjusting the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your heat tolerance, ensuring a personalized flavor profile that matches your preference.
• Opt for Gluten-Free Alternatives like chickpea or rice pasta to make this dish accessible for those with gluten sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious taste and texture.
• Choose Low-Fat Options by using turkey sausage instead of traditional pork sausage and replacing heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce overall calorie content.
• Enhance Meal Prep Efficiency by cooking the protein and pasta components in advance, allowing quick assembly and reheating for a convenient weeknight dinner solution.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg