Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is easy to make comforting one-pan pasta: tender and juicy shrimp cooked with sausage in Creamy Cajun Sauce. With only 40 minutes of total work, this Cajun recipe is simple, fast and delicious. Delicious with crostini to dip into the sauce and a side of Avocado Salad.

Love Shrimp Pasta? You might also like Pesto Shrimp Pasta, Shrimp and Pancetta Pasta and Garlic Basil Shrimp Pasta.

This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is loaded with juicy shrimp and sausage, smothered with silky creamy Cajun sauce and served with fettuccini pasta and freshly grated Parmesan. Ideal for both special occasion dinners and hectic weeknights.

And if you enjoy Cajun and Creamy Pasta combo, try Louisiana Chicken Pasta or Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta.

★★★★★ Reviews

• Originally published in 2018 and now with more in depth descriptions, a helpful video tutorial, clearer instructions, and different ways to use this delicious Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe.
• With over 300 positive reviews, such as Bernice " April 2023 and this recipe SLAPS!! Everything from the ingredients to instructions were awesome. Not complicated. The best recipe I've ever followed for this. Never going to another! This meal is awesome. It was spicy. However, very very very extremely delicious. ★★★★★"

Why you'll love Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Authentic Cajun recipe: Creamy Shrimp Cajun Pasta brings together the bold, spicy flavors of Cajun seasoning with rich creamy sauce and tender shrimp with classic Cajun ingredients like bell peppers and onions in the best tradition of Louisiana-style cooking.
• Short cooking time: The cooking time for this creamy shrimp pasta recipe is only 40 minutes as it all comes together pretty quickly. And if you enjoy eating Cajun as much as we do, you might also like this Cajun themed Instant Pot Chicken and Rice.

Key Ingredients

• Shrimp: Use large shrimp, peeled and deveined. I prefer the larger sea bugs, definitely avoid small ones.
• Cajun seasoning: I simply like to add garlic, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning to make the sauce taste fantastic. You can also play with using Creole seasoning instead.
• Olive oil (or any refined oil): "Olive oil" (as opposed to extra virgin olive oil) is one example of a refined oil. Corn oil, peanut oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, and so on...
• Smoked sausage: I prefer to use Audouille sausage, because is actually smoked "twice". Larger chucks of smoked pork are added into the mix and smoked for a second time once it's in the casing. Smoking the pork before adding it to the sausage is what makes it smokier.
• Fettuccine pasta: In my humble opinion, it's much better than spaghetti.
• Parmesan: You can use any of these varieties: plain Parmesan, but also Asiago, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano.

How to make Cajun Shrimp Pasta

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients, measurements & instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. Cook Shrimp

Cook your seasoned shrimp in olive oil until browned. I cooked shrimp just pink enough. Remove it from the pan.

2. Cook Sausage

Next you will add sliced sausage to the same pan and brown it. Remove it from the pan as well.

3. Saute Veggies and Cook Pasta

1. Saute your diced onions, bell peppers, and garlic until softened. You will only need about 5 minutes.
2. Cook pasta according to the package in instructions to al dente.

4. Make Creamy Cajun Sauce

1. Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken stock and heavy cream into the pan and bring to a simmering point.
2. While the sauce is simmering, add your Parmesan cheese. You finished the sauce work!

5. Put it all together

Add your shrimp and sausage back to the pan and reheat them. If you like your sauce a bit thicker, you may want to add extra Parmesan. But keep in mind that the sauce will thicken as it sits.

FAQ

• Cajun or Creole Seasoning? You can use either one. I also use Louisiana Cajun Seasoning or Original Creole Seasoning.
• How can I prevent my pasta from getting mushy? Cook pasta al dente and rinse briefly if it will sit before mixing with sauce. Add pasta directly to the sauce and finish cooking for 1-2 minutes until it absorbs flavor without losing texture.
• My Cajun pasta isn't spicy enough. What can I do? Cajun seasonings vary in heat. Taste and add more, or customize spice using extra cayenne, smoked paprika, jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce.
• What should I do if my sauce isn't creamy enough? Use more heavy cream or finish with a pat of butter while stirring the finished pasta. Freshly grated parmesan cheese creates a silkier texture than pre-shredded.
• Can I Make This Recipe Low Sodium? I like to use this Sodium Free Cajun seasoning just because it gives me control over the amount of salt I am consuming. It's important to be aware that various Cajun seasoning brands contain significant amount of sodium. Therefore always be sure to check the Nutrition Facts on the spice blends to see if they contain sodium.

Tips for Making the Best Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Add shrimp last: Make sure to add shrimp to the sauce at the very end. This is super important in order to avoid over steaming the shrimp, overcooking it and making it bland in the hot sauce.
• To stop sauce from sticking to the pan: Deglaze with a bit of reserved pasta water or broth, then scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon before adding dairy. This also boosts the sauce's flavor.
• To make it gluten free: Swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta or use spaghetti squash. Note that gluten-free noodles can go mushy if overcooked, so monitor closely and use plenty of salted water.
• To make it dairy free: Substitute full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option.

How do I adjust the heat?

It's super doable to make Cajun Shrimp Pasta milder or spicier.

• Use less Cajun seasoning - Start small, lets say with 1 teaspoon and build up. If you are using a Cajun seasoning that has a high salt content, start with half of the seasoning and add more as you go.
• Balance with sweetness:A teaspoon of sugar can help with the spice level.
• Dilute with more pasta: Simply make more pasta if you want a milder dish!
• Make it spicier: You can either increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add cayenne pepper.

How Do I Prevent Sauce from Separating or Becoming Grainy

• Add cream on low heat: Always add cream to the pan off the heat or over low heat to prevent curdling.
• Use heavy cream rather than milk for better emulsification.
• Add cheese slowly, whisking constantly for a smooth, glossy sauce.
• Reserving some pasta water and adding it to the sauce helps the creaminess cling to noodles and prevents separation.

Why is My Sauce Too Thin

• Be gentle: Simmer the sauce gently until it thickens. Avoid boiling the sauce.
• Add more cheese: Adding more grated Parmesan cheese can also help thicken a loose sauce.
• Use cornstarch: For quicker thickening, stir in a slurry of water and a teaspoon of cornstarch.

What to Serve with Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• A big slice of crusty Dutch Oven Bread or crostini would be fantastic.
• You can also make a big Olive Garden Copycat Salad or Avocado Corn Salad.

Essential Equipment

• Hard anodized non-stick oven-safe fry pan: Nothing sticks to these fry pans & they are a breeze to clean. The weight is perfect. Not too heavy & not too light.
• Silicone Solid Turner: Non Stick Slotted Kitchen Spatulas, high heat resistant and BPA Free.
• Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs: With silicon tips to prevent scratching pans and they are high heat resistant.
• Microwave and Dishwasher Safe "fancy" Pasta Bowls: Perfect for pasta, salads and big meals. Large size, thick and sturdy!

Substitutions and Variations

• Tomatoes: If you don't have crushed tomatoes, you can use tomato paste and sauce and sun-dried tomatoes.
• I'm out of heavy cream! What can I use? Half-and-half with a spoonful of butter. I don't recommend subbing the cream for something lighter. Half-and-half or milk will make the sauce more watery.

Leftovers and storage

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers of this Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
• Reheat any leftovers slowly over a low heat so that the shrimp aren't overcooked and to prevent the cream sauce from separating. Add a splash more cream if needed.
• This recipe won't freeze well. Cream sauces don't hold up in the freezer generally.

If you like spicy food and more, you can always follow me on FACEBOOK where I share the tastiest recipe videos.

More Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipes

• Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo
• Creamy Shrimp with Spinach

Hungry for more Cajun recipes?

• Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Smoked Sausage
• Baked Cajun Salmon
• Cajun Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
• Spicy Chicken Lazone Pasta