Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make meal? Look no further than this delicious Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Penne Pasta recipe! This pasta dish is full of flavour, texture, and nutrition. Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight dinner or something to impress your friends, this pasta will do the trick. Let’s take a look at how to make it so you can enjoy it tonight.
This pasta combines all three into a delicious dish that comes together. Drizzle a thick, garlicky sauce over tender, juicy shrimp. It has been pan-fried and spiced with Cajun seasoning. You’ll crave this dish, especially with some hot pasta added.
Besides all that goodness, this recipe cooks up in no time at all! This is a true 30-minute (or less) dinner because both pasta and shrimp are quick and simple to prepare. Prepare it every week for a sophisticated family dinner and serve it for a date night at home.
Let’s try this scrumptious Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Penne Pasta!
What Is Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Penne Pasta?
The Cajun-Acadians created Cajun cuisine and travelled from Acadia to Louisiana. And who incorporated West African, and French culinary techniques into their unique cuisine.
Cajun food is also known as “rustic cuisine”. It’s made by using products which are available and require little effort to prepare.
A traditional Cajun meal is a three-pot affair. One pot is reserved for the main course. One for the steamed rice, speciality sausages, or seafood dish. The third is for whatever vegetables are in season or accessible. A variety of meals include andouille sausage, crawfish, and shrimp as main ingredients.
Cajun shrimp pasta and sausages are a little bit of a variation on Pastalaya, a meal in Louisiana. It’s fantastic for Mardi Gras celebrations. You can prepare it any time of year because it’s so simple and delicious.
What’s not to love about this protein-rich dish with its spiciness and Southern-inspired flavours?
This meal has delicious, soft shrimp and smokey Andouille sausage. It is balanced with heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, savoury vegetables and tomato paste. The end result is hearty and healthy pasta!
Why This Recipe Works
Here are a few reasons:
- Fast and simple: This dish may be prepared fast and is the best option for a busy day. Also, you don’t need to be an expert to have it turn out thanks to the simple directions!
- Customizable: You can make it dairy-free or gluten-free. Adjust the amount of spice, change the pasta, and add alternative veggies. This dish is simple to adapt to your personal preferences.
- Comforting: The best way to make yourself feel at ease is with a hearty pasta dish. Cajun shrimp and sausage pasta is a comforting carby, like all pasta dishes. With this Cajun shrimp pasta recipe, there is plenty of protein and vegetables.
Ingredients Required To Make Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Penne Pasta
- 12 oz Pasta: You can use penne pasta to make this pasta. Otherwise, you can use any other type of short pasta. Choose a gluten-free pasta brand if you have a sensitivity to gluten.
- 4 Cloves Garlic: Use a little minced garlic. You may also use a garlic press to speed up the process or, in a pinch, use pre-minced garlic from a jar.
- 12 oz Andouille sausage: Andouille is a smoked sausage produced from pork. It is also used in Creole and Cajun recipes. Other options are Chorizo and hot Italian smoked sausage.
- 1 Pound Shrimp: Use large raw shrimp or prawns that are fresh or frozen and defrosted. You may get both peeled frozen and fresh shrimp. It is deveined at your neighbourhood grocery shop.
- ½ Onion: You can use yellow or red onion for this recipe.
- 1 Bell Pepper: Use red or green bell peppers or a mix of both.
- 1 Tablespoon Thyme: Use fresh thyme for adding layers of flavour.
- 1 ½ Cup Chicken broth: choose low-sodium chicken broth so that you can manage the amount of salt in the dish.
- 1 Can Coconut Milk: Use this to maintain the pasta’s creamy texture. You’ll be using full-fat coconut milk. You won’t be able to taste any coconut flavour, so don’t worry.
- 1 Tablespoon Arrowroot Starch: This helps in thickening the sauce without flour. It is to ensure that it coats each piece of pasta.
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice: It provides a touch of sharpness to the creamy sauce for harmony.
- Spices to Taste: Give this some major flavour by using cajun seasoning and paprika. You can buy cajun seasoning or make it at home. But you can make your own if you want more control over the amount of salt, amount of heat, and flavour.
- Vegetables: If you’d like, you may add some more fresh vegetables to this pasta. Sliced zucchini, spinach, or even some fresh tomatoes are excellent choices.
- 1 Cup Cheese: To give the pasta the ideal amount of cheesy pleasure, add some shredded pecorino romano. But, You can substitute pecorino Romano for parmesan cheese if you prefer the flavour. Or, you can use your preferred vegan cheese for the shredded cheese if you want to make the dish dairy-free.
Tools Required To Make Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Penne Pasta
- Mixing bowls: You can do Storage. Produce a paste. Combine dry ingredients, chop vegetables, organize, and do other tasks in the mixing bowl. The kitchen requires a variety of bowls of various sizes.
- Cast-iron skillets: You can use Cast-iron skillets for various culinary methods. They’re great for pan-frying, sautéing searing, braising, baking, roasting, broiling and more. In addition, the more seasoned your cast-iron skillet is, the better flavour.
- Measuring cups: We use them to determine liquid or bulk solid ingredients for cooking. Such as flour and salt.
- Measuring spoon: Measuring spoon helps to measure an amount of an ingredient. Either liquid or dry when cooking. Plastic, metal, and other materials help to make measuring spoons. They can be available in many sizes, including teaspoons and tablespoons.
- Knife: Knife for cutting, with the blade either attached to the handle or hinged to clasp into it.
- Cutting board: A cutting board is a piece of glass, wood, vinyl, or plastic. A cutting board, also known as a butcher block, is a solid surface used to cut bread, fruit, vegetables, and meat. A cutting board is a strong piece of equipment that helps to cut various foods.
- Cheese grater: Use to grate other soft foods. As well as to grate cheese, vegetables, citrus peel, ginger, and nutmeg.
Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Penne Pasta Recipe
Our hearty Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Penne Pasta is not only flavourful but also super easy to make and only requires a handful of ingredients!
Servings: 6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Course: Snack Cuisine: Italian Calories: 766 kcal
In a big pot of salted boiling water, prepare the pasta al dente as per the package instructions. After the pasta has finished cooking, drain it and put it back in the pot. Set aside.
Combine the shrimp with a little cajun seasoning in a small mixing bowl. Stir until the shrimp are well coated.
Over medium-high heat, preheat a large skillet. When the pan is hot, pour in half the olive oil before adding the shrimp. Sauté the shrimp until cooked for a few minutes on each side. Take it out of the pan, then leave it aside.
Then, fill the skillet with the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil. Add Sausage slices to the pan and cooked for a few minutes until browned on each side. Add the onion, peppers, and garlic to the skillet after that. Once the peppers are soft and the onion is transparent, cook for another five minutes or so. From the skillet, take out the sausage, peppers, and onions, and put them in a dish that can withstand heat.
Now prepare the sauce. Add the chicken broth, cajun spice, paprika, lemon juice, and fresh thyme to the skillet. Mix by stirring. Heat the sauce to a boil, then simmer it. Simmer the sauce. Once the sauce has simmered, combine 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch with a little water to produce a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce to thicken it.
Pour the sauce over the pasta in a large pot, then add the sausage, shrimp, and vegetables. Heat the pasta over low heat, and stir everything until mixed well.
Last, Add a little shredded cheese and some sliced green onion to the pasta to complete it. Serve with more green slices, and delight in!
Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Penne Pasta: Nutritional Information
Calories Per Serving: 766 kcal
Total Fat 43.7 g
Saturated Fat 24.4 g
Trans Fat 0.1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 11.8 g
Cholesterol 196.8 mg
Sodium 3096.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 50.9 g
Dietary Fiber 2.8 g
Sugars 4.1 g
Protein 43.7 g
Vitamin A 92.9 µg
Vitamin C 35.3 mg
Calcium 495.7 mg
Iron 5.4 mg
Vitamin D 1.6 µg
Tips To Make The Best Cajun Shrimp And Sausage Penne Pasta
- Avoid overcooking: Shrimp cook fast. As soon as the shrimp become pink, remove them and lay them aside. They could become tough and rubbery if you cook them for a long time.
- Shrimp: Buy peeled and deveined shrimp that is fresh or frozen. Put frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight to thaw them. You can also use a bowl of cold water to thaw frozen shrimp that are still in their sealed bag. It should take them 30-45 minutes to defrost.
- Perfect Pasta: Before the time indicated on the pasta packaging, check the pasta. You want to cook the pasta al dente. Drain it if it is tender with a slight chew.
- Store-brought Cajun Seasoning: It is best to taste the pre-made sauce. It’s always a good idea to taste a spice mix before adding salt to suit your tastes. Since some seasoning mixes contain more salt than others. Spice is the same way. You should first taste the sauce before deciding whether to add more spice. Because each seasoning blend will vary in its level of heat.
- Vegetarian: Remove the sausage and shrimp from the recipe to make it vegetarian. Include an extra pound of vegetables and sauté them alongside the bell peppers and onions. These vegetables could include spinach leaves. Also sliced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms or zucchini, or other vegetables.
- Timing note: Plan to begin preparing the sauce. Cook the shrimp while the pasta is cooking for the best results. The final meal won’t be as nice if the pasta gets cool down too much.
Storing & Freezing
Keep these storage instructions should be in mind if you have leftover pasta:
Transfer the pasta to an airtight container once it has completely cooled, and it will be consumable for 4-5 days in the fridge.
You may store this dish for 1-2 months in the freezer by placing it in a freezer-safe container or bag.
When you’re ready for extra pasta, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat as directed.
If you want to reheat, then heat some oil over medium-low heat in a pan. Cook the pasta for 5-6 minutes, stirring in-between, or until heated through. Cover the pan if it requires a little moisture. Or, add a tiny splash of chicken or veggie broth while it cooks.
FAQs
Can You Freeze Pasta And Sausage?
Yes, you can! You can freeze leftovers with or without sauce. Before placing the pasta in a freezer bag, let it cool to room temperature. Remove any air from the bag once everything is inside, then freeze the item until needed. You may store this dish for 1-2 months in the freezer by placing it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Next time, whenever you want to use it, It’s easy to reheat and tastes great.
How Do You Reheat Cajun Chicken Pasta?
Place the pasta in a skillet and heat it over medium heat to reheat. To thin out the sauce, you might need to add a dash of milk or chicken broth. Reheating this pasta dish in the microwave is another option. Heat the spaghetti in the microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Once more, you might need to thin out the sauce by adding a little milk or chicken broth.
How Many Calories Are In Cajun Shrimp Pasta Chili’s?
A single serving of Chili’s Cajun Pasta With Seared Shrimp contains 1190 calories, 104g net carbs, 110g total carbs, 59g fat and 53g protein.
How Do You Reheat Sausage Pasta?
If the leftover pasta has been already covered in sauce, place it in a shallow ovenproof dish. Then, cover the dish with foil before baking it for 20 minutes at 350°F or until it’s heated through. In the final five minutes, take the foil off and sprinkle on some parmesan to make it extra gooey. Instead, you can reheat pasta. Sauce while covering them in the microwave or over low heat, stirring until heated.
How Long Does Cooked Pasta Last?
Cooked pasta can last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days if stored in an airtight container. It is important to let the pasta cool down to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. It is to prevent bacterial growth.
If you want to extend the shelf life of the cooked pasta, you can also freeze it. Cooked pasta can last in the freezer for up to 8 months if stored in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it.
Therefore, it’s important to note that the texture of the pasta may change. But it should still be safe to eat as long as it is stored and hasn’t developed any strange odours or flavours.
How Long Can Cajun Pasta Stay In The Fridge?
Cajun pasta has a shelf life of 4-5 days if stored in a refrigerator with an airtight container. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the pasta has cooled down before placing it in the refrigerator. When reheating the Cajun pasta, add a small amount of liquid. Such as broth or water, to the pasta to help keep its moisture and prevent it from drying out. It is not recommended to freeze Cajun pasta as the texture of the pasta may change and become mushy upon thawing.
In Conclusion
You need to try this pasta with Cajun shrimp and sausage! It has a lot of taste and is creamy.
When you need to prepare dinner fast, Cajun shrimp and sausage pasta is the best dish. What’s not to love about this protein-rich dish is that it has hot spices from the South.
The rich, smoky, and unique sauce contains combining fiery Cajun tastes. In addition, it is accompanied by succulent shrimp, smoky Andouille sausage, and al dente penne.
Once you serve this Cajun shrimp pasta meal to your family, they will beg you to make more. When you don’t know what to make for supper or are hosting a gathering that will be well received, it is great!
If you don’t have Penne pasta, try Fusilli, Cavatappi, Farfalle, or Gemelli. In addition, add a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the pasta sauce to boost the heat.
Try using blackening seasoning or Creole seasoning in place of Cajun for a different flavour.
Put a baguette or bread on the side with this creamy Cajun shrimp pasta dish so that guests can dip their bread into any leftover creamy Cajun sauce. A side salad goes well with it as well. Try it with any of the salad recipes.
Have you ever tried a recipe? Did it turn out as expected or did something go wrong? Did you make any changes to the recipe that made it even better? Do you want to share your experience with others? Now you can! We want to hear from you about this recipe. Comment and let us know your experience!
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Penne Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz Pasta
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 12 oz Andouille sausage
- 1 lb Shrimp
- ½ Onion
- 1 Bell Pepper
- 1 tbsp Thyme
- 1½ cup Chicken broth
- 1 can Coconut Milk
- 1 tbsp Arrowroot Starch
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- Spices to taste
- Vegetables
- 1 cup Cheese
Instructions
- In a big pot of salted boiling water, prepare the pasta al dente as per the package instructions. After the pasta has finished cooking, drain it and put it back in the pot. Set aside.
- Combine the shrimp with a little cajun seasoning in a small mixing bowl. Stir until the shrimp are well coated.
- Over medium-high heat, preheat a large skillet. When the pan is hot, pour in half the olive oil before adding the shrimp. Sauté the shrimp until cooked for a few minutes on each side. Take it out of the pan, then leave it aside.
- Then, fill the skillet with the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil. Add Sausage slices to the pan and cooked for a few minutes until browned on each side. Add the onion, peppers, and garlic to the skillet after that. Once the peppers are soft and the onion is transparent, cook for another five minutes or so. From the skillet, take out the sausage, peppers, and onions, and put them in a dish that can withstand heat.
- Now prepare the sauce. Add the chicken broth, cajun spice, paprika, lemon juice, and fresh thyme to the skillet. Mix by stirring. Heat the sauce to a boil, then simmer it. Simmer the sauce. Once the sauce has simmered, combine 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch with a little water to produce a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce to thicken it.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta in a large pot, then add the sausage, shrimp, and vegetables. Heat the pasta over low heat, and stir everything until mixed well.
- Last, add a little shredded cheese and some sliced green onion to the pasta to complete it. Serve with more green slices, and delight in!
Notes
- Avoid overcooking: Shrimp cook fast. As soon as the shrimp become pink, remove them and lay them aside. They could become tough and rubbery if you cook them for a long time.
- Shrimp: Buy peeled and deveined shrimp that is fresh or frozen. Put frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight to thaw them. You can also use a bowl of cold water to thaw frozen shrimp that are still in their sealed bag. It should take them 30-45 minutes to defrost.
- Perfect Pasta: Before the time indicated on the pasta packaging, check the pasta. You want to cook the pasta al dente. Drain it if it is tender with a slight chew.
- Store-brought Cajun Seasoning: It is best to taste the pre-made sauce. It's always a good idea to taste a spice mix before adding salt to suit your tastes. Since some seasoning mixes contain more salt than others. Spice is the same way. You should first taste the sauce before deciding whether to add more spice. Because each seasoning blend will vary in its level of heat.
- Vegetarian: Remove the sausage and shrimp from the recipe to make it vegetarian. Include an extra pound of vegetables and sauté them alongside the bell peppers and onions. These vegetables could include spinach leaves. Also sliced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms or zucchini, or other vegetables.
- Timing note: Plan to begin preparing the sauce. Cook the shrimp while the pasta is cooking for the best results. The final meal won't be as nice if the pasta gets cool down too much.
