🍤 Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta

📝 Ingredients:

• 8 oz penne or fettuccine
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• ½ lb smoked sausage (sliced)
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

🔥 Instructions:

🍤 Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente.
2. Drain, reserve ½ cup pasta water, and set aside.

🔥 Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp & Sausage

1. Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side until opaque. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add sausage slices and cook for 3–4 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.

🧄 Step 3: Build the Sauce

1. In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic and red bell pepper for 2 minutes.
2. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits.
3. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thick and creamy.

🍝 Step 4: Combine It All

1. Add cooked pasta, shrimp, and sausage back into the pan.
2. Toss to coat everything in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if needed.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning — add more Cajun spice or red pepper flakes if you like it HOT.

🌿 Step 5: Serve

1. Plate it up and garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.
2. Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast — you’re gonna want to scoop every drop 😍