Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Orzo
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, plus more, to taste
- 12 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, packed in oil (drained)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pan. Sprinkle generously with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Add the sliced Andouille sausage to the same pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and heated through. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside with the shrimp, leaving any rendered fat in the skillet.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the orzo pasta to the pan and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes to lightly toast the pasta.
⏱️ 4 min
- 4
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and the remaining 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it begins to wilt.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Return the cooked shrimp and sausage to the pan. Stir everything together gently until well combined and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Orzo
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, plus more, to taste
- 12 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, packed in oil (drained)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pan. Sprinkle generously with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Add the sliced Andouille sausage to the same pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and heated through. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside with the shrimp, leaving any rendered fat in the skillet.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the orzo pasta to the pan and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes to lightly toast the pasta.
⏱️ 4 min - 4
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and the remaining 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it begins to wilt.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Return the cooked shrimp and sausage to the pan. Stir everything together gently until well combined and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.