creamy cajun pasta

Quick and easy Cajun Pasta has andouille sausage and bell peppers. It is a creamy and luxurious dinner with a kick of spice that can be easily adjusted for taste preferences. This meal is wonderful for chilly fall and winter evenings. 

Cajun Pasta

pasta of choice

olive oil

sausage

butter

medium brown onion (*aka yellow onion,

red bell peppers

tomato paste

garlic (*6-8 large cloves of garlic)

smoked paprika

onion powder

oregano

thyme

salt

white pepper

black pepper

cayenne pepper

chicken broth

heavy whipping cream

finely shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano (*plus extra for garnish)

pasta water (*see Note below)

lemon zested

lemon juice

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta. Measure spices. Cut onion and peppers into strips. Peel and cut garlic. Zest and juice lemon. Finely shred cheese. Cut andouille sausage into bite sized pieces.

Preparation

Add pasta to boiling water and cook to al dente following instructions on packaging, making sure to reserve the starchy pasta water towards the end of cooking.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the sliced andouille sausage and sauté until browned on both sides, about 7-8 minutes. Remove it from the skillet and set it aside.

In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.

Add onion and sauté for about 1-2 minutes.

Add bell pepper and continue sautéing for another 1-2 minutes.

Add tomato paste and continue sautéing until veggies are coated.

Stir in garlic and spices and sauté until spices bloom and become fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

Pour in 1/2 cup of chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze it.

Reduce the heat to medium low and add heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until it starts to thicken slightly making sure to stir frequently.

Add the cooked andouille sausage back into the skillet with the sauce and stir to combine.

Stir in lemon zest, juice and finely shredded cheese to the sauce, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.

Add reserved pasta water and pasta. Stir well.

Serve with extra grated cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped Italian parsley.

Cooking

Smothered in a rich and luscious cream sauce, this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is made with juicy, tender shrimp and spicy Andouille sausage

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

shrimp

olive oil (divided)

Cajun seasoning

andouille sausage (sliced)

onion

garlic (minced)

Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)

Roma tomatoes (diced (or 1(28-ounce) can diced tomatoes))

sugar

low-sodium chicken broth ((plus 1 cup reserved pasta water,

cream

Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

fettuccine pasta (or pasta of choice)

parsley (chopped)

Add the shrimp to a medium mixing bowl and drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, Cajun seasoning, and dried oregano. Mix well to combine. Set aside to cook the sausage.

Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat. Drizzle with approximately 1 tablespoon of olive oil swirling to coat the bottom of the skillet. Add the sausage in a single layer and cook each side for approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove the sausage to a clean plate and set aside.

Return skillet to medium-high heat. Add an additional drizzle of olive oil, if needed, and add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook each side for approximately 1-2 minutes, or until just cooked or just nearly cooked. Remove from the skillet to a clean plate and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.

As the water boils, return the skillet to medium heat. Add a bit more olive oil and the onions to the skillet. Mix well and cook the onions for 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Add the diced bell pepper and continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and cook for  30 seconds, stirring continuously.

Add the cajun seasoning and tomatoes to the pan. Mix well to combine.

Meanwhile, add the fettuccini noodles to the pot of boiling water. Use a large wooden spoon to stir the noodles and prevent them from sticking together. Cook until al dente.

Stir in the granulated sugar and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and reduce heat too low. Cover and simmer for approximately 5 minutes.

Stir in the heavy cream and butter and add the shrimp and sausage back to the pot. Increase heat to medium and bring to a simmer- do not boil the cream.

Stir in the cooked fettuccini noodles and shredded cheese, adding reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.

Enjoy!

If using canned tomatoes should you drain them first?

Yum!! What a perfect side dish for so many recipes.

I substituted Turkey Kielbasa because that’s what I had. This was one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had. It wasn't’ too difficult to make. I will definitely save This  to make again. We had fresh tomatoes from our garden (Roma’s) fresh green pepper from a neighbor and Walla  Walla onion. Superb.

It is sooooo delicious!  We loved it! A family favourite from now!!!! Thanks!!!

Creamy, flavorful Cajun Chicken Pasta. Very easy to make and customizable to whatever you have in your kitchen! Time-saving tip: Prep all the veggies and ingredients while the pasta cooks.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

penne (or any shape)

lb chicken breast

Cajun seasoning (or

oz andouille sausage (sliced)

green bell pepper (sliced)

red bell pepper (sliced)

pasta water ((from cooking the pasta) or chicken stock)

tomato-based pasta sauce ((such as marinara,

heavy cream ((aka whipping cream

cherry tomatoes (halved)

cheddar cheese (or Parmesan (optional))

parsley leaves (finely minced (for garnish),

Cook the pasta to al dente in salted water, following the cooking time on the pasta package. Save ½ cup of pasta water from cooking the pasta, then drain the rest of the pasta.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan. Add the diced onion and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the onion begins to soften.

Add the diced chicken breast to the pan, and season with Cajun seasoning. (see note below for spice tips.) Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the chicken is mostly cooked.

Add the sliced sausage and peppers, and cook for another minute.

Add the cooked pasta and pasta water, and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until most of the water evaporated. Add the tomato sauce and heat for 1 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream and cherry tomatoes. Stir in shredded cheese, if using, Adjust with more seasoning or salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve warm, garnishing with fresh parsley.

I made it today and i loved it 🥰 it was so yummy. It is a little bit fattening but so delicious 😋. I used low fat heavy cream to reduce the calories 😂😂.

Creamy Cajun Stuffed Shells combine tender jumbo pasta shells filled with a flavorful mixture of shredded chicken, smoked andouille sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh parsley, all baked in a rich and creamy Cajun-spiced tomato Parmesan sauce. This hearty Italian-American fusion dish delivers a perfect balance of creamy textures and smoky, spicy flavors ideal for a comforting dinner.

Creamy Cajun Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipe

jumbo pasta shells

chicken breasts

Kosher salt,

black pepper,

eggs

ricotta cheese

mozzarella

parsley,

garlic, grated

heavy cream

Parmesan cheese

Tbsp. all-purpose flour

Cook Pasta Shells

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the jumbo pasta shells. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside.

Prepare Chicken

Season the chicken breasts on both sides with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for about 8 minutes until a crust forms. Flip and cook for another 8 minutes until cooked through. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then shred using two forks.

Make Filling

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the shredded chicken and chopped andouille sausage, tossing everything together until well combined.

Prepare Sauce

In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add grated garlic and tomato paste, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. Heat until warmed through, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer, whisking constantly while gradually streaming in the Parmesan cheese. Cook until the sauce thickens and reduces by about one-third, roughly 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter until melted. Slowly add the flour, whisking to prevent lumps, and simmer for an additional minute until the sauce takes on a light reddish hue and becomes creamy.

Assemble Dish

Spread a layer of the sauce on the bottom of a 13&#8243; x 9&#8243; baking dish. Fill each pasta shell with a heaping 1 to 2 tablespoons of the ricotta and meat filling. Arrange the stuffed shells upright and side by side in the baking dish on top of the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the shells.

Bake and Serve

Bake the dish in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the shells are heated through. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with additional chopped fresh parsley for a fresh finish.

Top 4 creamy cajun pasta recipes from across the web

The most viewed creamy cajun pasta recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Cajun Pasta

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Creamy Cajun Stuffed Pasta Shells R...

Top 4 creamy cajun pasta recipes from across the web

The most viewed creamy cajun pasta recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Cajun Pasta

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Creamy Cajun Stuffed Pasta Shells R...

The most viewed creamy cajun pasta recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine