Bring some big flavors to the dinner table with creamy Cajun angel hair pasta tossed with smoked sausage, shrimp, and plenty of spice. It's a dish that is quick and easy to make but tastes rich and unbelievably flavorful!

creamy cajun angel hair pasta with sausage and shrimp in the pan

Cajun angel hair pasta is a loaded with savory sausage, tender shrimp, fresh tomatoes and vibrant spices - plus heavy cream and parmesan cheese for a super rich and creamy sauce. It is a decadent dish that no one can resist! Try my other delicious pasta- conchiglie pasta recipe or seafood lovers favorite red Argentinian shrimp recipe. So good!

The pasta is delicious and impressive, so it is hard to believe how easy it is to make. Start to finish you only need about 30 minutes and a few dishes. The sausage, shrimp, aromatics - and even the sauce! - are made in one skillet. Then toss the cooked and drained angel hair pasta right into the same skillet. That's it!

This is a fantastic quick and simple recipe to add a bit of spice to a busy weeknight, or is "fancy" enough to prepare for special occasions.

Recipe ingredients

Angel hair pasta. Super thin noodles, also known as Capellini Italian pasta.

Smoke sausage. I use Cajun style Andouille Smoked Sausage. You can also use chicken sausage.

Shrimp. Fresh or frozen and thawed, peeled and deveined.

Olive oil or butter. Choose whichever high heat cooking oil you prefer.

Garlic. Adds delicious savory and earthy flavor to the pasta dish.

Spices. Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika. Together they create a wonderfully spicy, smoky and bold seasoning blend.

Diced tomatoes. Fresh ripe tomatoes are definitely best in this recipe. In a pinch you can use canned, but note that the flavor will not be quite the same.

Heavy cream. For the most rich, creamy and delicious pasta sauce.

Parmesan cheese. Grated parmesan is key to make the best cheesy Cajun angel hair pasta.

Parsley or green onions. Fresh chopped, to garnish.

How to make Cajun angel hair pasta

Heat oil or butter in the skillet. Season shrimp with some cajun seasoning and cook on medium heat for about 2 minutes per side. Scoop and set aside on the plate.

cooked angel hair pasta on top of the smoked sausage and shrimp in sauce

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In the same skillet add sliced sausage and sear until well browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes. Add chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, for about 2 minutes.

Meanwhile cook pasta according to the package directions. Add chopped tomatoes and saute for 3 minutes. Pour in heavy cream, more cajun seasoning, garlic powder and smoked paprika.

Add cheese. Simmer on low for 3 minutes.Add cooked shrimp and pasta to the sauce with sausage and stir. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions

What is Cajun style food

Cajun cuisine is originally from Louisiana, and is known for being a vibrant combination of Southern and French culinary influences. Savory dishes typically include seafood, like shrimp and crawfish, and a spice blend known as Cajun seasoning.

What is Cajun seasoning made of

There are many different types of Cajun seasoning blends, each with its own ratio of more or less spices. But they almost always include garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, crushed black pepper, and cayenne pepper. There is sure to be a bit of spicy heat!

How much angel hair pasta per person

A serving of angel hair pasta is 2 oz dry per person. This recipe uses 8 oz, for a total of 4 servings.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cajun pasta spicy?

Yes, the Cajun seasoning - which includes cayenne pepper - gives this dish a good kick of spiciness. You can purchase mild Cajun seasonings if you prefer less heat. Or give the dish even more spicy flavor by adding an extra pinch of cayenne pepper.

How long does angel hair pasta take to cook?

Angel hair is a very quick to cook. It only requires 3 to 5 minutes in boiling water to be perfectly al dente.

Does angel hair pasta soak up sauce?

It really does! The noodle strands are thin but the pasta is terrific to twirl, and bunches up beautifully to hold the sauce, shrimp, and sausage pieces.

How can you tell when shrimp is done?

Raw shrimp are gray to light white, and are opaque. When properly cook the color will become light pink. The meat should be white and tender.

But also be careful to not overcook the shrimp, either. Remove them from the heat before the tails fully curl up and they become an "O" shape... Remember, "O" means overcooked!

Can I make this Cajun pasta recipe with other proteins?

Yes, you can certainly tweak the recipe as you like. Swap traditional pork sausage for chicken sausage, or feel free to omit entirely. Shrimp can be substituted with other quick cooking seafood like crab, scallops, or clams.

angel hair pasta with shrimp and smoked sausage covered with grated parmesan

Leftovers

Place Cajun angel hair pasta leftovers in to the plastic or glass air tight container, close the lid and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Its not a great idea to store dishes with shrimp for any longer.

Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute. Add more Parmesan cheese if needed.

Cajun angel hair pasta

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

8 oz angel hair pasta
1 lb smoked sausage (i used Cajun Style Andouille Smoked Sausage)
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoon olive oil or butter
2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, devided
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon paprika (smoked if available)
½ cup diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
parsley or green onions

Instructions

Heat oil or butter in the skillet. Season shrimp with some cajun seasoning and cook on medium heat for about 2 minutes per side. Scoop and set aside on the plate.
In the same skillet add sliced sausage and sear until well browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes. Add chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, for about 2 minutes.
Meanwhile cook pasta according to the package directions.
Add chopped tomatoes and saute for 3 minutes. Pour in heavy cream, more cajun seasoning, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Add cheese. Simmer on low for 3 minutes.
Add cooked shrimp and pasta to the sauce with sausage and stir. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions

Notes

Place Cajun angel hair pasta leftovers in to the plastic or glass air tight container, close the lid and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Its not a great idea to store dishes with shrimp for any longer.

Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute. Add more Parmesan cheese if needed.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 947Total Fat: 69gSaturated Fat: 30gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 394mgSodium: 3953mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 49g