Creamy Cajun Pasta is an easy and tasty meal you can make any night. It has soft linguine noodles, cooked smoked sausage, and shrimp all mixed in a creamy, spicy Cajun sauce. This dish is quick to prepare and full of flavor, making it great for a satisfying dinner.
Why We Love This Creamy Cajun Pasta
This recipe is a crowd-pleaser because it balances bold spices with creamy textures. The Cajun seasonings bring a smoky, spicy kick without overpowering the dish. Pair that with the combination of smoked sausage and succulent shrimp, and you get a hearty, satisfying meal that’s bursting with flavor. Plus, the creamy sauce clings to every strand of linguine, giving you a delicious bite every time. It’s simple to prepare but looks and tastes like a restaurant-quality dish.
Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Pasta
- 1/2 box of linguine noodles (use more if you want extra pasta)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (add more if making a larger batch)
- 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Tony’s No Salt seasoning
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Kinder’s No Salt Garlic and Herb seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Seasoned salt or salt and pepper to taste
- Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 1/2 lemon, juiced (optional)
- Smoked turkey sausage, sliced into half moons
For the Shrimp:
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Tony’s No Salt seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Kinder’s No Salt Garlic & Herb seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
How to Make Creamy Cajun Pasta Directions
Start by cooking your linguine noodles in salted boiling water until they are just al dente. This means the noodles will still have a slight firmness because they will finish cooking in the sauce later. While the pasta cooks, season your shrimp in a bowl with onion powder, garlic powder, Tony’s No Salt seasoning, garlic and herb seasoning, and a drizzle of olive oil. Toss until the shrimp are evenly coated.
Next, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked turkey sausage and cook for about five minutes or until browned. Remove the sausage and set aside. In the same skillet, add the shrimp and sear them until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp and set aside with the sausage.
To make the sauce, add butter and olive oil to the skillet. Once the butter melts and starts bubbling, add diced onions and cook until translucent. Then add minced garlic and sauté for two more minutes to release its aroma. Stir in a heaping spoonful of sun-dried tomatoes, followed by the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a low simmer.
Season the sauce with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Tony’s seasoning, garlic and herb seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together well. If the sauce feels too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water to loosen it and give it a silky texture.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually mix in the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Return the cooked sausage and shrimp to the skillet, then add the drained linguine noodles. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until the noodles are fully coated with the sauce and all ingredients are well combined.
Finish by tasting and adjusting seasoning if needed. For a fresh touch, sprinkle with parsley and a bit more no salt Cajun seasoning. Serve the pasta in bowls, topping each serving with fresh lemon juice, additional parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if you want a bit more heat.
How to Serve Creamy Cajun Pasta
This dish shines best when served immediately while the sauce is warm and creamy. Present it in deep plates or pasta bowls so the sauce can be enjoyed with every bite. For a little extra freshness, add a squeeze of lemon juice on top right before eating. This cuts through the richness and brightens the flavors.
Pair the pasta with a simple side salad featuring crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette. Garlic bread or toasted baguette slices also make excellent companions, perfect for dipping into the creamy sauce. If you want to keep the meal light, steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus provide a nice contrast to the richness of the pasta.
Expert Tips: Creamy Cajun Pasta
To get the perfect creamy texture, keep an eye on your sauce’s thickness. Adding pasta water little by little helps achieve a smooth, silky consistency without making it watery. The starch from the pasta water also helps the sauce cling to the noodles better.
When choosing sausage, opt for smoked turkey sausage or another smoked sausage without added pork to keep flavors balanced and avoid overpowering the dish. For the shrimp, make sure they are peeled and deveined so they cook evenly and remain tender.
Adjust the spice level according to your taste by using cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes sparingly at first. You can always add more at the end. Also, be careful with salty seasonings like Tony’s and pasta water – taste as you go to prevent over-seasoning.
If you want a deeper flavor, try gently sautéing the sun-dried tomatoes before adding cream to unlock their richness.
How to Store Creamy Cajun Pasta
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much. Avoid microwaving at high heat, which can dry out the pasta.
If you want to prepare ahead, you can cook the pasta and sauce separately. Store the noodles and the sauce in separate containers, then combine and reheat before serving. This keeps the noodles from soaking too much sauce and getting soggy.
Avoid freezing this dish because cream-based sauces tend to separate and lose their texture after thawing.
Variation of Creamy Cajun Pasta
To switch things up, try swapping out the linguine for fettuccine or penne for a different noodle shape that holds sauce nicely. You can also make this pasta vegetarian by replacing sausage and shrimp with hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers.
For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream and substitute the cheeses with plant-based alternatives. Add smoked paprika and Cajun seasonings to keep that bold flavor.
If you like it extra spicy, include fresh diced jalapeños or add more cayenne pepper to the sauce. For a smoky twist, sprinkle a bit of smoked paprika on top just before serving.
You can also mix in some cooked chicken breast or andouille-style smoked turkey sausage for protein variety.
FAQ about Creamy Cajun Pasta
What kind of sausage works best in Creamy Cajun Pasta?
Smoked turkey sausage is a great choice for this dish because it adds flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. You can also use other smoked sausages that fit your dietary preferences.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, by skipping the sausage and shrimp and adding vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini, you can enjoy a vegetarian version that still has plenty of flavor.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream and replace parmesan and mozzarella with vegan cheese alternatives. This way, you keep the creamy texture without dairy.
How spicy is Creamy Cajun Pasta?
The spice level can be adjusted to your liking by changing the amount of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes you add. Start with a small amount and add more if you want extra heat.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
You can cook the components ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. Combine and reheat just before serving to maintain texture and flavor. Avoid freezing due to the cream sauce.
How do I prevent the sauce from getting too thick or watery?
Use reserved pasta water gradually to adjust the sauce consistency. The starch in the water helps create a smooth, clingy sauce. Keep stirring the sauce when melting the cheese to avoid clumps.
Creamy Cajun Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/2 box linguine noodles (more if desired)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (add more for larger batches)
- 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Tony’s No Salt seasoning
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Kinder’s No Salt Garlic and Herb seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- to taste seasoned salt or salt and pepper
- to taste cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 1/2 lemon juiced (optional)
- smoked turkey sausage sliced into half moons
- shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Tony’s No Salt seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Kinder’s No Salt Garlic & Herb seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook linguine noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. They will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Season shrimp in a bowl with onion powder, garlic powder, Tony’s seasoning, garlic and herb seasoning, and a drizzle of olive oil. Toss until coated.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced smoked turkey sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add shrimp and sear until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside with the sausage.
- Add butter and olive oil to the skillet. Once melted, add diced onions and cook until translucent, then add minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, then add heavy cream and bring to a low simmer. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Tony’s seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste.
- If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until it reaches a silky texture.
- Reduce heat to low and mix in parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Return sausage and shrimp to the skillet, then add drained linguine noodles. Toss gently until fully coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve topped with fresh lemon juice, additional parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired.
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