If you enjoy a little Cajun flavor, these shrimp and sausage noodles are worth trying. Juicy shrimp, smoky sausage, and tender noodles come together in a savory garlic butter sauce for an easy seafood dinner that’s ready in just 40 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Shrimp and sausage together. Both bring their own flavor and texture to this hearty dish.
- Bold Cajun seasoning throughout. Every component gets seasoned generously for consistent flavor.
- Colorful bell peppers and onion. They add sweetness and texture alongside the noodles.
- A savory pan sauce. Chicken broth and browned bits from the skillet create a flavorful base.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz smoked turkey sausage, sliced
- 12 oz spaghetti or noodles
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Noodles
1. Cook the noodles. Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Season the shrimp. Toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, paprika, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
3. Brown the sausage. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the smoked turkey sausage for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
4. Cook the shrimp. Add the shrimp to the same skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
5. Sauté the vegetables. Add butter, onion, and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, then cook for another 30 seconds.
6. Make the pan sauce. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce is slightly reduced.
7. Toss everything together. Return the sausage and shrimp to the skillet. Add the cooked noodles and toss gently until everything is coated in the Cajun garlic butter sauce. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
8. Finish and serve. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve the Cajun shrimp and sausage noodles hot.
Tips for the Best Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Noodles
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. Two to three minutes per side is enough; they’ll turn rubbery if left too long.
- Let the sausage brown well. This builds extra flavor that carries through the whole dish.
- Scrape up the browned bits when making the pan sauce. Those bits add extra flavor to the finished dish.
- Toss everything gently at the end. This coats the noodles, shrimp, and sausage evenly without breaking anything apart.
What to Serve with Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Noodles
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but a simple side salad or garlic bread can be added if you’d like to round things out further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different sausage?
Yes, andouille sausage is a traditional and flavorful option if you’d like even more smoky depth.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking so they sear properly instead of releasing excess water.
Can I make this less spicy?
Yes, simply reduce or omit the red pepper flakes and use a milder Cajun seasoning if you prefer less heat.
Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Noodles
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, paprika, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook the smoked turkey sausage for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add the shrimp to the same skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add butter, onion, and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, then cook for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce is slightly reduced.
- Return the sausage and shrimp to the skillet. Add the cooked noodles and toss gently until everything is coated in the Cajun garlic butter sauce. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve the Cajun shrimp and sausage noodles hot.