Creamy Pappadeaux Mardi Gras Pasta Recipe
If you love rich, flavorful pasta dishes, this Creamy Pappadeaux Mardi Gras Pasta Recipe is a must-try.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb andouille sausage sliced
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook the pasta
- Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water.
Cook the sausage
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add sliced andouille sausage. Cook for 5 minutes until lightly browned.
Sauté vegetables
- Add diced onion and red bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir occasionally.
Add garlic and spices
- Stir in minced garlic, Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Cook the shrimp
- Add shrimp to the skillet. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and fully cooked.
Prepare creamy sauce
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir well. Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Combine pasta and sauce
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss until pasta is fully coated with creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
Add butter and adjust seasoning
- Stir in butter for extra richness. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish and serve
- Sprinkle chopped parsley and optional grated Parmesan on top. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for best flavor. Frozen shrimp works but thaw completely first.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste. Reduce for mild, increase for spicy.
- Substitute andouille sausage with smoked kielbasa if unavailable.
- Add mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables.
- Use half-and-half instead of cream for a lighter sauce.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.