One-Pot Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Inspired by Southern pasta dishes, this One-Pot Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta is made with warm spices, fresh veggies, and tons of protein. Combined with squid ink pasta and plenty of cheese, it cooks in 15 minutes or less for a lightened-up comfort food dish that couldn’t be easier to make! Serve it on its own or with your favorite appetizers for a filling family-friendly meal.
Is there anything better than a bowl of creamy pasta? Whether you’re indulging in Creamy Parmesan Spinach Orzo Pasta, Creamy Pesto Pasta, or Creamy Linguine Shrimp Alfredo, it always hits the spot! However, sometimes we want something a little on the lighter side.
That doesn’t mean you have to give up all the goodness of the creamy sauces, though! Instead, we found a way to lighten it up with tons of nutrients, fiber, and protein thanks to this creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta. It’s got all the taste and texture you look for in a pasta recipe so you can treat yourself and feel good about what you’re eating. It’s a win-win!
Why You’ll Love Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
- It cooks in 15 minutes or less in just one pot.
- It’s loaded with fiber, nutrients, and protein to keep you full.
- The warm spices and savory cheese make this pasta extra comforting.
- One batch makes enough to feed a crowd.
- You can serve it on its own or pair it with all your favorite sides and appetizers.
What You’ll Need
We used traditional Cajun pasta recipes as inspiration for this Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta and added extra nutrients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Spaghetti – We use squid ink
spaghetti to impart a briny, salty flavor into the dish. - Veggies – Tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, and garlic are used for a bright color, nutrients, and fiber. They also help enhance the taste of the dish with savory pungent and sweet flavors.
- Shrimp – We like to use large shrimp, but any size will do. Just make sure they’re fully cooked!
- Sausage – We love the smokey, spicy flavor of chicken sausage, but andouille or kielbasa sausage would taste great, too.
- Broth – Chicken or vegetable broth is included to cook the pasta, infusing extra flavor into the noodles. Whichever you choose, we recommend opting for low-sodium varieties to avoid overpowering the dish.
- Seasonings – Use a store-bought or homemade cajun seasoning for the warm, spicy flavor that sets this Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta apart from other pasta recipes. And don’t forget to include a pinch of salt and pepper, too!
- Heavy Cream – Used to form the base of the sauce, creating the rich flavor and silky texture we love.
- Cheese – Parmesan cheese is stirred into the mixture for a rich, slightly nutty taste.
- Cilantro – The freshness cuts through some of the heaviness of the fats for a well-rounded dish.
How to Make One-Pot Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
In true one-pot pasta fashion, this cajun shrimp and sausage pasta recipe is unbelievably easy to make!
- Combine the Ingredients. In a large, deep Dutch oven, add the pasta, tomatoes, onion, peppers, broth, garlic, and seasonings, stirring to combine.
- Boil. Cover the pot, and bring the ingredients to a boil. Cook over medium heat until the pasta is al-dente, stirring halfway through.
- Add the Remaining Ingredients. Stir in the remaining ingredients until everything is well-combined. Then, add extra Parmesan shavings, and serve your pasta while it’s warm!
Flavor Variations
- Add More Greens. If you want to add even more nutrients to this cajun shrimp and sausage pasta dish, stir in baby spinach at the end of cooking.
- Switch Up the Protein. If preferred, you can swap out the shrimp and sausage for cooked chicken instead.
- Make It Extra Spicy. If you want to increase the heat, add a dash of red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Use a Different Pasta. Feel free to use regular
spaghetti noodles or any pasta shape you like best.
Common Questions About Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
This pasta is best served right away while it’s still warm. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm leftovers on the skillet or in the microwave, adding an extra splash of broth as needed to freshen them back up.
Squid ink
We wouldn’t call this recipe spicy exactly, but it does have a warm flavor. You can easily adjust the spices and ingredients to suit your flavor preferences, making it more or less spicy.
More One-Pot Pasta Recipes
Can’t get enough one-pot pasta recipes? We’ve got you covered with more easy meals below!
- One-Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
- One-Pot
Spaghetti with Ground Beef - One-Pot Chicken Tetrazzini
- One-Pot Healthy
Spaghetti
One-Pot Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces squid ink spaghetti (uncooked and split in half)
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 cups bell peppers (chopped)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 Tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Optional: 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons sea salt (more or less to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (more or less to taste)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1/2 pound shrimp (cooked)
- 3 chicken sausages (cooked)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Optional: 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- In a large, deep Dutch oven, add the uncooked pasta, tomatoes, onion, peppers, broth, garlic, Cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir combine.
- Bring the ingredients to a boil over high heat. Then, cover, and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer for 12-15 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, stirring halfway through.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, shrimp, sausage, cilantro, and heavy cream until well combined.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese shavings, if desired. Serve warm!
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.