One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-06-19

A spicy and creamy pasta dish cooked in one pot featuring shrimp, smoked sausage, and a rich Cajun-seasoned tomato cream sauce. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs olive oil, smoked sausage, large shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds smoked sausage
• 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (canned)
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and slightly crisp, then remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp and sprinkle with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Cook shrimp for 2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove and set aside with sausage.
3. Step 3: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 1 diced medium green bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and remaining 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices and 2 1/2 cups chicken broth, scraping the bottom to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil.
5. Step 5: Add 12 oz penne pasta, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-14 minutes until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream, cooked sausage, and shrimp. Heat through for 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving.