Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Andouille Sausage
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a flavorful and easy weeknight meal made with blackened shrimp, andouille sausage, and a rich, creamy sauce. We love to serve it with bucatini, but any long, thin pasta would be great. If you love the spicy, smoky flavor of blackening spice, you'll love this deeply flavored Creole-inspired pasta!
Prep10 minutes mins
Cook25 minutes mins
Total35 minutes mins
Cuisine: American, Creole, Southern
Keyword: blackened shrimp pasta, elevated pasta recipe, restaurant-worthy pasta, shrimp and andouille sausage
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 552kcal
- 1 lb bucatini
- 1½ lb jumbo shrimp raw, peeled, and deveined
- 2 Tbsp Blackening seasoning
- ½ lb (8 oz) andouille sausage cut into ¼-½ inch thick rounds
- 2 Tbsp DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large shallot finely chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan plus more for serving
- ½ cup loosely packed fresh parsley roughly chopped, plus more for serving
- Flaky sea salt for serving
- Lemon wedges for serving
Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil, then add a generous 2-3 tablespoons of Kosher salt. Add bucatini, then cook to al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
Season the shrimp. Place 1½ lb of raw jumbo shrimp in a large bowl. Season with 2 Tbsp blackening blend. Toss well to thoroughly coat.
Brown the sausage. In a large skillet with deep sides, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced andouille sausage then cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes. Stir well, then allow the sausage to cook on the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a large bowl.
Cook the shrimp. To the same pan, add the seasoned shrimp, making sure they’re in a single layer. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Use a slotted spoon and add the shrimp to the bowl with the sausage.
Sweat the shallot. Reduce the heat to medium, then add 2 Tbsp unsalted butter to the pan. Add 1 chopped shallot, then cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add 3 chopped garlic cloves, then stir and cook for 1 minute more.
Make the sauce. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup reserved pasta water, and ½ cup of grated Parmesan. Stir to combine, then add the cooked pasta, andouille, and shrimp. Add chopped parsley, then stir until very well mixed. Taste, adjust seasoning, then serve immediately with additional grated Parmesan, fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
- Shrimp: Any size works—use raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp (tails on or off).
- Sausage swaps: Andouille can be replaced with kielbasa, chorizo, chicken sausage, or diced chicken.
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days.
Calories: 552kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 178mg | Sodium: 1102mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1060IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 2mg