Creamy Cajun Shrimp Turkey Sausage (Printable)
Bold shrimp and turkey sausage with Cajun spices in a creamy sauce and penne pasta with peppers.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 8 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 8 oz turkey sausage, sliced
→ Pasta
03 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
06 - 1 small yellow onion, sliced
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
08 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Liquids
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Oils
15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - Extra grated Parmesan, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Cook pasta in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water for sauce adjustment.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced turkey sausage and cook 3–4 minutes until browned. Transfer to plate.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to skillet. Season shrimp with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and pinch of salt. Cook 2–3 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove and combine with sausage.
04 - Add onion and bell peppers to skillet. Cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to simmer, scraping up browned bits from bottom of skillet.
06 - Reduce heat to medium. Stir in heavy cream, remaining Cajun seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce coats back of spoon.
07 - Return sausage and shrimp to skillet. Add drained pasta, tossing to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water if needed for desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and additional Parmesan.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy sauce balances the heat perfectly, so you get flavor without overwhelming your tastebuds
- Everything cooks in one skillet, meaning fewer dishes and more time enjoying your meal
- Shrimp and sausage cook quickly, making this ideal for weeknights when you want something special
02 -
- Do not skip reserving the pasta water, that starchy liquid is the secret to fixing a broken or too thick sauce
- Shrimp turn from perfect to rubbery in seconds, so pull them as soon as they turn pink
- The sauce continues thickening off the heat, so take it off the stove slightly earlier than you think
03 -
- Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning them, otherwise the spices will not stick and you will end up with flavorless seafood
- Warm your cream slightly before adding it to prevent the sauce from separating