Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

8 oz penne pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 lb smoked sausage, sliced
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Cajun Cream Sauce:

2 tbsp butter
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp paprika
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions

Cook the Pasta: Boil penne pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Cook the Sausage and Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside. In the same skillet, add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side. Set shrimp aside with sausage.

Make the Sauce: Add butter to the skillet along with diced bell pepper. Sauté until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in Cajun seasoning and paprika, and cook for 30 seconds.

Finish the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.

Combine Everything: Return sausage, shrimp, and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly in the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Details

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: ~650 kcal/serving