What pasta works best for shrimp sausage and chicken pasta?

Penne is my go-to because its ridges catch the creamy Cajun sauce, but rigatoni or rotini work well too. Avoid thin pasta like angel hair—it tends to overcook and doesn’t hold the hearty proteins and sauce as well. If you're after something fancier, try fettuccine, like in this fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp and chicken .

Can I make shrimp sausage and chicken pasta ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it up to a day in advance. Store the pasta and sauce together in an airtight container. When reheating, add a little chicken broth or milk to loosen up the sauce and keep it creamy. Avoid overcooking the shrimp the first time around—it reheats better if slightly underdone.

How do I adjust the spice level?

The Cajun seasoning adds a nice kick, but you can tone it down by using a mild sausage and reducing the amount of seasoning on the chicken. Want more heat? Add cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce base. This recipe is easy to tweak to your spice preference without losing flavor.

Is there a dairy-free version of this dish?

You can make a dairy-free version by swapping heavy cream with unsweetened coconut milk or a dairy-free creamer, and using nutritional yeast instead of cheese. While the texture won’t be identical, it still gives you a creamy, spicy base that complements the shrimp sausage and chicken pasta beautifully.

Shrimp Sausage and Chicken Pasta

Description

Shrimp sausage and chicken pasta is the ultimate one-pan Cajun comfort meal. Bold, creamy, and loaded with flavor, it’s perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 lb smoked sausage, sliced

1/2 lb boneless chicken breast, diced

12 oz penne pasta

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp Cajun seasoning

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp garlic powder

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet. Season chicken with Cajun seasoning and cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, add sausage slices and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.

4. Add 1 tbsp olive oil, then cook shrimp seasoned with paprika and garlic powder until pink. Remove and set aside.

5. In the same skillet, pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer 2–3 minutes, then stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until melted.

6. Return cooked pasta, chicken, sausage, and shrimp to the skillet. Toss to coat and heat through.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the sauce.

Use freshly grated cheese for best melt and flavor.

This dish is best served fresh but can be reheated gently with added broth or milk.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun, Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 620
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 890mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 180mg