Description
Turn up the flavor with this bold and creamy Cajun Ranch Shrimp and Sausage Pasta Skillet—a one-pan meal that’s bursting with smoky sausage, juicy shrimp, and pasta all tossed in a zesty Cajun-spiced ranch cream sauce. Perfect for an easy dinner idea, this dish brings serious flavor to your table in under 40 minutes. It’s the ideal fusion of comfort food and Southern spice with minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction. Whether you’re after a hearty weeknight dinner, meal prep champion, or new food idea to impress your guests, this quick dinner recipe is the kind of meal that gets requested again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Protein
- 8 oz. penne or rotini pasta
- 1/2 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Fats & Liquids
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix (dry)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet. Brown the sausage for 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add shrimp, season lightly, and cook 1–2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté bell pepper and onion in the remaining oil. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Deglaze with chicken broth. Stir in cream, Cajun seasoning, ranch seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Return pasta, shrimp, and sausage to the skillet. Stir to coat. Add a splash of pasta water if needed.
- Stir in Parmesan, taste, and adjust seasonings. Remove from heat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.