One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta (GF)
If you’re looking for a little weeknight dinner inspiration...this One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta is where it’s at! It’s SO flavorful, packed with protein, fiber, and veggies, and it’s so easy to pull together. I mean, one pot? Ya can’t beat it.
Flavored with smoked paprika, cayenne, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and fire roasted tomatoes, this dish really packs a punch in the best way. If you like things with a little extra heat, you could also add more cayenne to take things up a notch. The creaminess of the sauce comes from a bit of cream cheese (I used reduced fat but really whatever you prefer) and some parmesan. It’s not overly thick, but adds just the right amount of velvety texture.
Made using chickpea pasta (my favorite brand to use is Banza) this dish is also gluten and grain free! You could really use any type of pasta if chickpea isn’t your jam, but I do love that it adds loads of extra protein and fiber just on its own. Bell peppers and onions serve as the veggies for this recipe, as I can’t seem to make a meal without some form of veg in it these days. They add extra flavor, texture, and dimension to the dish, as well as plenty of beneficial nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium!
As the name of this recipe would suggest, the main sources of protein for this meal are…you guessed it…shrimp and sausage. Well, chicken sausage to be precise. Often Cajun food combines sea and land proteins, such as in jambalaya and gumbo, and I absolutely love it. It’s truly the best of both worlds, and I wanted to capture that in this dish.
Honestly, I think the best part about this cajun pasta...besides being unbelievably delicious...is the fact that it only requires ONE POT. We love an easy clean up situation. Everything is added into the one large pot, cooked together, and voila! Everyone’s least favorite part of cooking is dishes, and the last thing anyone wants is a mountain of various pots and pans to clean after a long work day. And this simple recipe helps you to whip up an incredibly tasty dinner with minimal clean up!
If you do give this One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta a try, be sure to comment below and/or tag me on Instagram and let me know how you like it! I really love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for stopping by!
Take Care xx
Slim
One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
1 lb raw shrimp, peeled, deveined with tail removed
1 tbsp butter (grass-fed / pasture raised if possible)
4 chicken sausages, sliced (I used Bilinski’s Cajun Style Sausage)
2 bell peppers, diced (one red and one orange)
1 yellow onion, diced
1 (15oz) can diced fire roasted tomatoes (do not drain them)
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
8oz of pasta (I used Banza Shells)
¼ cup reduced fat cream cheese
⅓ cup grated parmesan + more for topping
Salt and pepper to taste
2 green onions, sliced for topping
For the cajun seasoning:
3 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp thyme
½ tsp cayenne
Instructions
Prepare the cajun seasoning by adding the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and cayenne in a bowl. Mix together until well combined.
Place the shrimp in a large bowl. Toss with 1 tbsp of the cajun seasoning.
Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet or pan with high sides. Once hot, add the shrimp and cook for about 1-2 minutes per side or just until starting to turn pink. Add the sausage and cook for an additional minute.
Next add the bell pepper, onion, and remaining seasoning and cook until they begin to soften and onions begin turning translucent. Around 3-4 minutes.
Add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the pasta, ensuring all noodles are submerged, reduce to simmer over medium heat, and cook for 8 minutes or until pasta is cooked and sauce has reduced a little.
Stir in the cream cheese and parmesan until completely melted into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to your preference. Bring back up to a simmer and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until sauce has thickened slightly.
Sprinkle green onion and extra cheese on top and enjoy!
