Description
Succulent Louisiana shrimp and sausage pasta bake brings Cajun comfort to dinner tables with bold spices and rich flavors. Hearty ingredients meld perfectly, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 grams) penne or rigatoni pasta
- 0.5 lbs (226 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 0.5 lbs (226 grams) smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 0.5 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Seafood and Protein Searing: Season shrimp with Cajun spices and sear in butter until pink. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, caramelize sausage slices until golden brown, then transfer with shrimp.
- Sauce Creation: Sauté garlic in remaining butter, then introduce heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer and whisk in Parmesan, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Ingredient Fusion: Merge cooked pasta, shrimp, and sausage in a large bowl. Thoroughly coat with the velvety sauce, then transfer to a baking dish.
- Cheese and Baking: Generously top with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Bake in a preheated oven until cheese melts and turns golden. For an enhanced texture, briefly broil to create a crispy surface.
- Final Touches: Garnish with chopped parsley and crushed red pepper flakes. Serve hot, allowing the rich aromas to tantalize guests.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness during baking, ensuring a perfectly textured final dish.
- Seafood Searing Secret: Remove shrimp from heat the moment they turn pink to avoid rubbery texture, preserving their delicate tenderness and sweet flavor.
- Spice Balance Strategy: Adjust Cajun seasoning gradually, tasting as you go to control heat level and prevent overwhelming the subtle seafood and sausage flavors.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Let cheese brown slightly under broiler for 1-2 minutes maximum to create a golden, crispy top without burning the delicate sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg