Cajun Shrimp Sausage Pasta (Printable Version)
A hearty pasta featuring tender shrimp, smoky sausage, and creamy Cajun-infused sauce.
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
10.5 oz (300 g) pasta
02 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
03 -
½ lb (225 g) shrimp
04 -
½ lb (225 g) smoked sausage, sliced
05 -
1 large shallot, finely diced
06 -
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
07 -
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
08 -
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
09 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 -
1 ½ cup low-sodium chicken stock
11 -
1 cup half and half
12 -
¼ cup grated Parmesan
13 -
A handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
14 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, and cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining.
02 -
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan and cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes over medium heat, flipping them halfway. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
03 -
Add the smoked sausage to the same pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly crispy. Remove the sausage from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
04 -
Add the shallot and red bell pepper to the same pan and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
05 -
Stir in the Cajun seasoning and tomato paste, then add the chicken stock to deglaze the pan. Add the half and half, stir to combine, and allow the sauce to bubble for 2-3 minutes on low heat.
06 -
Add the cooked shrimp and smoked sausage back to the pan and stir to combine.
07 -
Transfer the cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat it in the sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce looks too thick.
08 -
Stir in the grated Parmesan and fresh parsley. Adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper, and serve immediately.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.