Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Andouille Sausage

You’ll fall in love with this restaurant-style Cajun Shrimp Pasta. It features a rich, creamy Cajun-spiced sauce, fresh shrimp, and smoky andouille sausage. Bold, layered flavors come together in about 30 minutes for a family-friendly weeknight dinner.

If you love ordering Cajun Shrimp Pasta at restaurants, this homemade version will impress even more. It’s simple to prepare, customizable with sausage, chicken, or extra shrimp, and delivers a creamy Alfredo-style sauce spiked with Cajun seasoning. Thick-cut pasta like fettuccine holds the sauce beautifully, and a side of garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces fettuccine (or linguine, pappardelle, or penne)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or a neutral vegetable oil)
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided (use a homemade blend or store-bought)
• ½ pound medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed
• ½ pound andouille sausage, sliced (or other smoked link sausage)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ cup onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup bell pepper, thinly sliced (red, green, or a mix)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream (do not substitute milk or half-and-half)
• 14-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (or regular diced tomatoes)
• 1½ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Quick overview — full step-by-step recipe follows. For best results, prep ingredients before you begin.

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

2. Sear the shrimp: Toss shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side until just opaque. Remove and set aside.

3. Brown the sausage: Add sliced andouille to the skillet and cook 3–4 minutes per side to brown. Remove and set aside with the shrimp.

4. Sauté the vegetables: Add butter to the skillet. When melted, add sliced bell pepper and onion and cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook an additional minute.

5. Make the sauce: Pour in heavy cream and the fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and the grated Parmesan. Whisk and simmer until the sauce is smooth, slightly thickened, and the cheese has melted.

6. Combine and serve: Return the cooked shrimp and sausage to the skillet, add the drained pasta, and gently toss with tongs or a pasta fork until everything is evenly coated in the creamy Cajun sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.

Additions and substitutions

• Leave out sausage: Use 1 pound shrimp and omit andouille for a shrimp-only dish.
• Leave out shrimp: Use 1 pound sausage and omit shrimp for a sausage-forward meal.
• Use chicken: Pound 1 pound of chicken breasts to 1″ thickness, coat with 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, cook 4–5 minutes per side, slice, and add back in with the pasta.
• Add vegetables: Stir in zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli with the peppers and onions for more color and nutrition.
• Increase heat: Add sliced jalapeño with the peppers or ½ teaspoon cayenne to the sauce.

Pro tips

• Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge or quickly under cold running water for a few minutes before using.
• Adjust seasoning last: If using store-bought Cajun blend, taste the sauce before adding extra cayenne or salt—mixes vary in saltiness and spice level.
• Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of cream or milk if needed to loosen the sauce.

Diet variations

• Gluten-free: Swap in gluten-free fettuccine and confirm the Cajun seasoning and sausage are gluten-free.
• Vegetarian: Omit shrimp and sausage, add an extra pound of vegetables such as roasted cauliflower, broccoli florets, mushrooms, or additional bell peppers to keep the dish hearty.

What to serve with it

This creamy Cajun shrimp pasta pairs beautifully with crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping, and a bright green salad to balance the richness. Simple sides like a crisp mixed green salad or a lemony arugula salad brighten the plate.

• Garlic bread or crusty baguette
• Simple green salad or Caesar-style salad

More pasta recipes

If you enjoyed this Cajun shrimp pasta, try other creamy or comforting pasta dishes for weeknight dinners, such as chicken stroganoff, three-cheese manicotti, or a hearty pasta fagioli soup. Each offers a different flavor profile while remaining family-friendly and satisfying.