Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Orzo
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Orzo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 12 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded, plus more for serving
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pan and season with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are 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 over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pan.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the pan. Once melted, add the orzo pasta. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes, toasting the orzo until it becomes lightly golden brown.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Pour in the heavy cream and add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the shredded Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Add the fresh spinach to the pan. Return the cooked shrimp and sausage to the pan with the orzo and spinach. Stir all ingredients together until the spinach wilts and everything is well combined and heated through.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with additional shredded Parmesan cheese if desired.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Orzo
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 12 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded, plus more for serving
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pan and season with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are 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 over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pan.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the pan. Once melted, add the orzo pasta. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes, toasting the orzo until it becomes lightly golden brown.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Pour in the heavy cream and add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the shredded Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Add the fresh spinach to the pan. Return the cooked shrimp and sausage to the pan with the orzo and spinach. Stir all ingredients together until the spinach wilts and everything is well combined and heated through.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with additional shredded Parmesan cheese if desired.