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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Utilize the same skillet to render the sausage slices into a rich, caramelized golden-brown state. Once achieved, relocate the sausage alongside the shrimp.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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