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Cajun Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Shrimp is packed with a rainbow of vegetables, chicken sausage and shrimp and paired with pasta. The sauce is cajun inspired and creamy. Your family will love this easy weeknight meal! 

CAJUN PASTA WITH CHICKEN SAUSAGE AND SHRIMP

With three young, energetic boys I am always looking for ways to get a quick and easy weeknight meal on the table that is also healthy. It is one of those non-negotiables in my house. I know that with a full day of school, travel soccer, cross country and swimming class during the week my kids need fuel to keep them going. 

Today’s Cajun Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Shrimp is a meal that checks all the boxes. This meal is healthy, easy to prepare, full of flavor and customizable to your families tastes. The star of this recipe is al fresco Chicken Sausage. You might remember from my Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Vegetables recipe in the spring that I love their fully cooked chicken sausage for my meal prep and quick meals during the week. 

al fresco Chicken Sausage is a staple ingredient in my house and the perfect on-hand item for quick meals. Since their chicken sausage is fully cooked you can whip up a quality meal during a busy week in under ten minutes with some fresh vegetables, the chicken sausage and your favorite spices or sauce. That is music to my ears! 

What I love most about al fresco products, aside from how easy they are to incorporate into meals, is that they use simple ingredients to craft their high-protein chicken products. It is important to know what is in the food we are eating and al fresco makes that easy! 

Lets talk about what goes into this Cajun Pasta with Sausage and Shrimp.

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THIS CAJUN PASTA DISH?

CHICKEN SAUSAGE: al fresco Chicken Sausage is the star of this pasta dish. Their chicken sausage comes in ten flavors so there is something for everyone. My kids just love their chicken sausage, especially the roasted garlic, sweet apple and sweet Italian flavors.

VEGETABLES: I love adding fresh vegetables into my meals. It is such a great way to get your kids to get their daily dose of veggies. This Cajun Pasta Dish uses a rainbow of bell peppers, spinach and zucchini.

CAJUN SPICE: I used cajun spice in this dish. Feel free to use more or less depending on how strong of a cajun flavor your family likes. 

SAUCE: For the sauce this recipe uses heavy cream, drained diced tomatoes and the cajun spice which is mixed together and cooked down a bit. It creates a creamy, flavorful sauce. 

PASTA: I served this dish with a medium sized pasta. Feel free to use any pasta you like. For a healthier dish look for whole wheat or even a red lentil or chickpea pasta. 

HOW CAN I MODIFY THIS PASTA DISH?

One of my goals when I create recipes is to create a dish that can be modified to your families tastes. Today’s dish is no exception. Here are some ways you can change this dish. 

BEANS: I like to add beans to pasta dishes for extra protein. This dish would be great with cannelini {white} beans added in. 

SPICES: For today’s recipe I used cajun spice because I really like it. It is not for everyone, though. The great thing is that you can easily modify this dish and use your favorite spices. For example, you could create a southwest style pasta by adding black beans, chili powder, cumin and paprika. Or an Italian style version with oregano, basil, thyme and the some toasted pine nuts. The options are endless when it comes to spice blends! 

SAUCE: Creamy sauces on pasta dishes is something I enjoy. If you are wanting a lighter sauce substitute the cream with a 1/4 cup of chicken broth. 

GREENS: I used spinach in this recipe but you can use swiss chard, kale or arugula. 

VEGETABLES: Any time I can add vegetables into meal I am happy. Today’s Sausage and Shrimp Pasta Dish uses bell peppers, onion, diced tomatoes and zucchini. You can use any veggies you like. Some others I like are carrots, eggplant and mushrooms.

PASTA: You can use your favorite pasta or try using zucchini noodles. This dish also works nicely over rice or even cauliflower rice. 

CHEESE: I sprinkle parmesan cheese on this pasta dish but you can leave it out or use something different. I like mozzarella, goat cheese or gruyere cheese. 

HOW DO YOU MAKE THIS CAJUN SAUSAGE SHRIMP PASTA?

This dish is easy to make and can be prepped the night before by chopping all your ingredients up. 

1. First, you will heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic and bell peppers. Add in the chicken sausage and shrimp and sauté for a few minutes until the chicken sausage is heated and shrimp is cooked.
2. Add the zucchini and spinach and continue to sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. 
3. In a small mixing bowl combine the cream, drained diced tomatoes and the cajun spice. Stir to combine.
4. Pour the sauce in the skillet and simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce cooks down a bit. Then add the pasta in and stir.
5. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve warm! 

Cajun Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Shrimp

Yield: 6-8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Cajun Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Shrimp is packed with a rainbow of vegetables, chicken sausage and shrimp and paired with pasta. The sauce is cajun inspired and creamy. Your family will love this easy weeknight meal! 

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Ingredients

• 8 ounces of your favorite pasta
• 1 - 11 ounce package of al fresco sweet Italian chicken sausage
• 8 ounces of shrimp {I buy the peeled, deveined and precooked shrimp}
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 
• 2 bell peppers, seeds removed, cut into thin slices
• 1 medium zucchini, cut into thin rounds
• 2 cups of fresh spinach
• 1 - 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes, drained
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream
• 3 teaspoons cajun spice {more or less based on your tastes}
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for two minutes. Add in the bell pepper, sausage and shrimp and continue to saute for about 4-5 minutes, until the sausage and shrimp is heated through.
3. Add the zucchini and spinach and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted.
4. In a small mixing bowl combine the heavy cream, diced tomatoes and cajun spice and mix well.
5. Pour the sauce over the pasta dish and simmer for 2-3 minutes to let the sauce cook down a bit. Stir in the pasta and add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy warm!

Today’s post is sponsored by al fresco. All opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that allow me to create new and delicious recipes!