Louisiana Mardi Gras Pasta

Transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant streets of New Orleans with Louisiana Mardi Gras Pasta, a bold and creamy dish bursting with Cajun-inspired flavors. This quick and hearty recipe combines tender shrimp, smoky andouille sausage, and sautéed bell peppers in a luscious, spice-infused Parmesan cream sauce, all generously coating your choice of fettuccine or penne pasta. With a delicate balance of rich textures and zesty Cajun seasoning, this Southern classic is perfect for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. Garnished with fresh parsley and green onions, it’s a colorful, crowd-pleasing meal that’s every bit as lively as its namesake celebration. Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this easy-to-make pasta recipe that’s sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 16 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large green bell pepper, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 stalks green onions, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Season the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp and set it aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and cook the andouille sausage slices for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside with the shrimp.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the onions, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.

Step 6

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 7

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.

Step 8

Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.

Step 9

Add the Parmesan cheese, remaining Cajun seasoning, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 10

Return the cooked shrimp and sausage to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat evenly in the sauce.

Step 11

Sprinkle the dish with chopped green onions and parsley before serving. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2531.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4672.6

Total Fat 329.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 167.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1729.9mg	0%
Sodium 11130.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 200.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.0g	0%
Total Sugars 24.2g
Protein 210.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1282.4mg	0%
Iron 11.5mg	0%
Potassium 3118.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.3%

Protein: 18.3%

Carbs: 17.4%