This Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skillet is made with tasty andouille sausage, shrimp that are high in protein, and bell peppers that are still crisp. This recipe is for a quick and easy weeknight meal that only takes ten minutes to make. Serve it with your favorite sides for a delicious, healthy, and filling meal that everyone will love!.
Shrimp and sausage is a flavorful combination that can be used to make so many amazing dishes. From hearty gumbos to quick weeknight skillet dinners, the possibilities are endless when cooking with shrimp and sausage. In this article, I’ll share 12 of my favorite recipes for delicious meals and appetizers you can easily make at home using this classic pairing.
A Variety of Shrimp and Sausage Dishes for Any Occasion
From casual family dinners to elegant dinner parties shrimp and sausage always impress. The savory, briny sweetness of plump shrimp complements the smoky, robust flavor of sausage so perfectly. Here’s an overview of some of the many different ways you can put shrimp and sausage to work
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Hearty main dishes: Shrimp and sausage shine in classics like gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp creole, and étouffée. These satisfying one-pot meals are full of flavor.
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Quick skillet dinners Sautéed shrimp and sausage make an easy weekday-friendly dinner. Serve over rice greens, or cauliflower rice for a fast, filling meal.
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Seafood boils: Also called lowcountry boils, these fun, casual shrimp and sausage feasts are perfect for summertime. Dump everything into a pot and let guests dig in.
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Appetizers: Stuff shrimp and sausage into mushrooms, peppers, or puff pastry for easy yet elegant passed apps or starters.
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Pizza: Toppings like shrimp, sausage, onions, and peppers make a stellar pizza combo.
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Pasta entrees: Toss shrimp and sliced sausage with your favorite pasta and sauce for a fast dinner.
With so many possibilities, shrimp and sausage will quickly become your go-to ingredient duo. Keep reading for 12 of my personal favorite recipes to make.
12 Satisfying Shrimp and Sausage Recipes to Try
1. Traditional Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo
A steaming bowl of gumbo overflowing with shrimp, sausage, vegetables, and rice is pure comfort food. For an authentic Louisiana-style gumbo, the key is first making a dark roux with oil and flour. Then the Holy Trinity of onions, bell peppers, and celery provides the flavor base before adding shrimp, sausage, and other ingredients. The result is a rich, deeply-flavored stew that’s well worth the time and effort.
2. Jambalaya
Similar to gumbo, jambalaya is another Creole rice dish typically containing the Holy Trinity, shrimp, and sausage. Unlike gumbo though, jambalaya is not thickened with a roux. The ingredients are sautéed in oil and then cooked together with rice until the grains absorb all the flavor. With bold Cajun seasoning and andouille sausage, jambalaya is a one-pot wonder.
3. Quick Skillet Shrimp and Sausage
When you need dinner on the table fast, this easy skillet dish is ready in just 30 minutes. Cook sliced sausage first to brown it, then add shrimp and seasonings like paprika, oregano, and cayenne for tons of flavor. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and extra freshness. Serve over spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice for a fast, healthy weeknight dinner.
4. Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine
Pasta gets a flavor makeover with spicy Cajun flair in this dish. Cook fettuccine noodles while you sauté shrimp with slices of andouille sausage, onions, peppers, and plenty of Cajun seasoning. Toss everything with a homemade alfredo-style sauce spiked with cayenne and lemon juice. The end result is a zesty, creamy pasta dish with tons of flavor.
5. Seafood Boil
For casually fun outdoor eating, a seafood boil is the way to go. Also called a lowcountry boil, you dump an array of shellfish, sausage, corn, and potatoes into a huge pot and let everything cook until perfectly tender. Dump onto newspaper covered tables and let guests peel, crack, and devour with their hands. I like using both shrimp and smoked sausage along with Old Bay seasoning for that classic taste.
6. Sheet Pan Shrimp and Sausage Bake
The sheet pan makes dinnertime easy. In this recipe, shrimp, sausage, zucchini, tomatoes, and onions all roast together on one pan to pick up delicious flavor. A simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and Cajun seasoning coats the shrimp and sausage before baking. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a hearty, fuss-free meal.
7. Shrimp and Sausage Stuffed Peppers
For a fun spin on stuffed peppers, add shrimp and sausage to the filling. Cook the sausage first with onion, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and tomato sauce for great flavor. Stuff the mixture into halved and seeded bell peppers, top with shrimp, then bake. The shrimp cook right in the peppers and mesh perfectly with the spicy sausage.
8. Shrimp and Sausage Skewers
Fire up the grill for these easy shrimp and sausage skewers. Alternate chunks of marinated shrimp and slices of smoked sausage onto skewers. Brush with olive oil and grill over direct heat until browned and cooked through, turning occasionally. Grilled shrimp and sausage makes a fun appetizer or simple entree.
9. Low Country Shrimp and Sausage Hash
With crispy potatoes, shrimp, sausage, peppers, and onions, this hash has everything. Crisping the potatoes first in the skillet builds tons of flavor. Then aromatics like bell pepper and onion soften before adding shrimp and sausage back to the pan. Poach some eggs on top to make this a hearty brunch dish.
10. Shrimp and Sausage Etouffee
Buttery, velvety shrimp etouffee is a Louisiana specialty, usually served over white rice. It starts with the Holy Trinity cooked in butter to build rich flavor. Shrimp and sausage simmer in the sauce before finishing it with green onions. The result is a luscious, comforting stew that’s pure Cajun cuisine at its finest.
11. Shrimp and Sausage Pizza
Piled high with shrimp, sausage, bell peppers, and onions, this flavor-loaded pizza will become your new favorite. Making your own pizza dough is simple, but store-bought dough works too. Top with shredded mozzarella and crumbled feta for a delicious finishing touch hot out of the oven.
12. Shrimp and Sausage Pasta Bake
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor – this pasta bake has it all. Cook sausage, shrimp, and vegetables like zucchini and tomatoes together before tossing everything with pasta and an alfredo sauce spiked with Cajun seasoning. Top with more cheese and breadcrumbs then bake until bubbling and crispy.
Tips for Cooking With Shrimp and Sausage
Shrimp and sausage pack tons of flavor, but there are a few tips to follow when cooking with them for best results:
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Choose raw, shelf-stable sausage instead of pre-cooked. This allows you to better control the doneness as you cook the sausage through. Andouille or other smoked sausage works well.
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Opt for raw, peeled and deveined shrimp with the tails left on. Frozen shrimp is fine too – just thaw first.
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Be careful not to overcook the shrimp or they will turn rubbery. Cook just until opaque throughout.
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sear or brown sausage first to build lots of flavor before adding shrimp toward the end.
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Enhance flavor with Cajun or Creole seasoning blends, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, and other spices.
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Finish dishes with fresh herbs like parsley, green onions, or cilantro.
With so many possibilities for cooking with shrimp and sausage, you’ll enjoy exploring all the delicious flavor combinations. Try out some of these tasty recipes and soon they will become favorites your family and friends request time and time again.
More Reader Favorite Shrimp Recipes
Cooking Fat: Avocado oil or ghee work the best for this recipe.
Shrimp: Shrimp is a great source of protein! Make sure to peel and devein your shrimp before putting it in the pan.
Sausage: For even more delicious cajun flavor, this recipe uses andouille sausage. You can use pork or chicken sausage.
Bell Peppers: I used orange, red, and green bell peppers for this recipe, but you can use any color you like!
Garlic and Onion: These add so much flavor to the skillet.
Cajun Seasoning: You can’t have a cajun skillet without a little cajun seasoning added the mix.
An Easy One-Skillet Meal: Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skillet
I love easy one-pan meals! With just a few ingredients and less than thirty minutes of work, you can make a really tasty meal.
Another one-skillet recipe that I love is this Cajun shrimp and sausage skillet. It’s full of protein and tastes great. That’s a lot of food (hello, sausage and shrimp!) and great for weeknights when you want something tasty but don’t have much time to make dinner.
You can make this recipe in just ten minutes with just a few simple ingredients. It’s also very flexible, so I’ll give you some options below. For a quick and easy meal that the whole family will love, serve it with rice, roasted vegetables, or your favorite side dish.