Cajun Delight: Shrimp and Andouille Alfredo Pasta
Experience the rich and bold flavors of the South with this Cajun Delight pasta dish. Tender shrimp and spicy andouille sausage come together in a creamy Alfredo sauce, complemented by aromatic vegetables and zesty seasoning. Perfectly served over fettuccine, this dish is indulgent enough for a special occasion, while the option to substitute chicken makes it versatile. Prepare for an unforgettable culinary journey that balances creamy richness with savory spice, bringing a taste of Louisiana right to your table.
N/A
Servings
470
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Shrimp
1 lb (Peeled and deveined, unpeeled medium raw)
Fettuccine
12 ounces (Cooked according to package directions)
Andouille sausage
1/2 lb (Chopped)
Butter
1/2 cup (Melted)
Onion
1 medium (Chopped)
Green bell pepper
1 small (Chopped)
Celery
1 cup (Chopped)
Garlic
4 cloves (Minced)
All-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (N/A)
Cajun seasoning
1 1/2 tablespoons (Salt-free recommended)
Chicken broth
2 cups (N/A)
Heavy cream
1 1/2 cups (N/A)
Velveeta cheese
6 ounces (Cubed)
Green onion
3/4 cup (Chopped)
Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup (Grated)
Fresh parsley
3 tablespoons (Chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by peeling and deveining the shrimp. Set them aside for later use.
2
Cook the fettuccine according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and keep warm.
3
In a large skillet, heat over medium heat. Cook the chopped andouille sausage for about 10 minutes, or until it is browned and caramelized. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage from the pan, leaving behind 1 tablespoon of the drippings. Set the sausage aside.
4
In the same skillet, melt the butter in the reserved sausage drippings. Add the shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and keep warm.
5
Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté these ingredients over medium heat for approximately 10 minutes, until they are tender and fragrant.
6
Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and Cajun seasoning. Stir continuously and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
7
Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring as you go to combine thoroughly. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil for 1 minute.
8
Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream, allowing the mixture to simmer for about 8 minutes.
9
Once the sauce is simmering, add the cubed Velveeta cheese, sausage, and shrimp. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the mixture becomes creamy.
10
Mix in the chopped green onions, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley until well incorporated.
11
Serve the rich Alfredo sauce generously over the warm fettuccine. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
34g
Fat
25g
Carbs
19g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cajun Delight: Shrimp and Andouille Alfredo Pasta?
It is a rich and bold Southern pasta dish featuring tender shrimp, spicy andouille sausage, and a creamy Alfredo sauce served over fettuccine.
How should the shrimp be prepared for this recipe?
The shrimp should be peeled and deveined before cooking.
What type of sausage is used in this Cajun pasta?
The recipe calls for half a pound of chopped andouille sausage.
What is the best way to cook the andouille sausage?
Cook the chopped sausage in a large skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes until it is browned and caramelized.
How long does it take to cook the shrimp?
The shrimp should be sautéed in butter for about 5 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.
Which vegetables are used in the aromatic base?
The dish uses a combination of chopped onion, green bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic for approximately 10 minutes until they are tender and fragrant.
What type of pasta is recommended?
Fettuccine is the recommended pasta for this recipe.
How do I thicken the Alfredo sauce?
The sauce is thickened using a roux made from butter and all-purpose flour, combined with chicken broth and heavy cream.
What kind of Cajun seasoning should I use?
A salt-free Cajun seasoning is recommended to better control the sodium levels of the dish.
How long does the heavy cream need to simmer?
The heavy cream should simmer for about 8 minutes after being added to the sauce mixture.
What type of cheese makes this sauce creamy?
The recipe uses 6 ounces of cubed Velveeta cheese and 1/3 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Can I substitute the shrimp in this recipe?
Yes, chicken makes an excellent substitute for shrimp in this versatile dish.
How many calories are in a serving of this pasta?
Each serving contains approximately 470 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 34 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in this dish?
The recipe provides 19 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What garnishes are suggested for the finished dish?
The dish is garnished with chopped green onions, fresh parsley, and additional parmesan cheese.
Do I need to keep the sausage drippings?
Yes, you should leave 1 tablespoon of the sausage drippings in the pan to melt the butter for cooking the shrimp.
Is this recipe suitable for a special occasion?
Yes, its indulgent creamy richness and bold flavors make it perfect for special occasions.
How do I avoid a raw flour taste in the sauce?
Cook the flour and Cajun seasoning for at least 1 minute while stirring before adding any liquid.
What liquid is added before the heavy cream?
Two cups of chicken broth are gradually poured in and brought to a boil for 1 minute.
How much Cajun seasoning is needed?
The recipe calls for 1.5 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 16 ingredients in total for this recipe.
When do I add the cheese to the sauce?
Add the cubed Velveeta cheese once the sauce has finished simmering, stirring until it is completely melted.
How do I serve the Alfredo sauce?
Serve the rich sauce generously over the warm, cooked fettuccine.
Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?
The recipe specifies medium raw shrimp, but if using pre-cooked, add them at the very end just to warm through.
How much garlic is included?
The recipe uses 4 cloves of minced garlic.
Is there any fiber or sugar data available?
The nutritional data for fiber and sugar is not specified for this recipe.
What defines the flavor profile of this dish?
The dish is defined by a balance of creamy richness from the Alfredo base and savory spice from the Cajun seasoning and andouille sausage.