Description
Creamy fettuccine Alfredo loaded with spicy Cajun shrimp and savory Andouille sausage. A decadent and flavorful dish perfect for a special occasion or a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound Andouille sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- Salt, for pasta water
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Make sure the shrimp are evenly coated.
- Sauté the Sausage: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced Andouille sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the sliced bell peppers, onion, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and slightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet with the vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp.
- Combine Shrimp and Sausage: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the shrimp and vegetables. Toss everything together to combine. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm.
- Melt the Butter: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Sauté the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the cream simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until it has slightly thickened. Stir occasionally.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the salt, pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan and Pecorino Romano cheeses, a little at a time, until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a splash of pasta water to thin it out.
- Keep Warm: Keep the Alfredo sauce warm over very low heat while you cook the pasta. Stir occasionally.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine pasta and cook according to package directions, or until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Combine Pasta and Alfredo Sauce: Drain the pasta and immediately add it to the saucepan with the Alfredo sauce. Toss the pasta and sauce together until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Add Shrimp and Sausage: Add the Cajun shrimp and sausage mixture to the pasta and Alfredo sauce. Gently toss everything together to combine.
- Serve: Serve the Cajun Shrimp Sausage Alfredo immediately. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and green onions. Offer extra grated Parmesan and Pecorino Romano cheese on the side.
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp.
- Grate your own cheese for smoother melting.
- Adjust the heat level to your preference.
- The Alfredo sauce and shrimp/sausage mixture can be made ahead of time.
- Pasta water is key to thickening the sauce.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes