This Cajun shrimp and sausage recipe is one of our favorites, and we love how simple it is put together! Everything is combined and cooked in a single skillet, allowing the flavors to intensify.
Smoked sausage, juicy shrimp, and crisp-tender veggies are the stars on the plate. Served over hot steamed rice, this is the type of dish that can easily become a weekly staple.
Is This Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Recipe Healthy?
Yes, our Cajun shrimp and sausage dish is a nutrient-packed combination of numerous ingredients. Each serving contains protein and healthy fats from shrimp and sausage, carbohydrates from rice, fiber from bell peppers and zucchini, and an abundance of vitamins.
Shrimp itself has numerous health benefits for the human body. It contains branched-chain amino acids, which are great for muscle building, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the heart.
However, stir-fried foods like shrimp and sausage are occasionally doused with oil and salt. Fat is necessary for the body, but consuming too much can increase calorie intake. Excessive salt has been linked to many cardiovascular problems.
At Healthy Recipes 101, we analyzed the saturated fat, salt, calories, and portion size of the recipe. This Cajun shrimp and sausage dish has 8.3 grams of saturated fat, 550 milligrams of sodium, and 505 calories in each serving. Our chefs have made sure that the dish tastes good and that the amount of nutrients is within the healthy limits set by the USDA's Dietary Guidelines.
The Ingredients You'll Need
Our Cajun shrimp and sausage is fantastic because you can use any vegetables you have on hand, making it an excellent way to clean out your refrigerator. Here is what we use in this recipe:
Shrimp: Go with the medium-sized shrimp that have been deveined and shelled to save on prep time. We like to keep the tails on for additional flavor and presentation, but tail-off shrimp also works for this recipe.
Note that the size specifications are not standard, and the count per pound should be used instead. You can check the number on the frozen shrimp packaging; for example, U15 indicates less than 15 shrimp per pound. The larger the size of the shrimp, the fewer will be available per pound.
Sausages: We recommend smoked sausages for their distinct, smokey flavor. They pair well with the shrimp and vegetables. You can use any brand of sausages as long as they are raw and of good quality.
Seasonings: For seasonings, we focused on basic condiments like thyme, chili powder, paprika, and black pepper. A touch of Cajun seasoning helps enhance the flavor and gives it a pleasant kick. This spice blend tastes as good with veggies and sausage as it does with shrimp.
Vegetables: This skillet recipe is best made with fresh veggies, and you can't go wrong when combining zucchini and bell pepper. They are tender-crispy, sweet, and add colors to your plate.
Protip: Cut veggies into equal-sized pieces. This helps to roast them evenly so that all vegetables are cooked to crisp-tender.
If you’re looking for more healthy shrimp recipes, check out our Cajun shrimp recipe, cashew shrimp recipe, and chili lime shrimp recipe. They are easy to make and ensure a flavorful meal in less than 30 minutes.
Recipe Variations
Our Cajun shrimp and sausage recipe is all about experimentation and adventure. Try using lemon pepper seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, dried herbs such as basil, thyme, rosemary, or sage, or go with your preferred blend of spices.
The same rule applies to vegetables. You can replace the zucchini and bell pepper chunks with broccoli, cauliflower, peas, green beans, or yellow onions. The options are limitless!
As for the Cajun seasoning, the possibilities are endless. We’ve got an abundance of Cajun-based recipes you should try out, such as Cajun Chicken Recipe, Cajun Dirty Rice Recipe, and Cajun Salmon Recipe.
Storage and Reheating
This Cajun shrimp and sausage recipe yields four servings. If there are any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The dish can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat the shrimp and sausage, place them in a skillet with a teaspoon of olive oil. Cover and heat over medium-low heat until just warmed through. If using a microwave, cover with a plastic wrap and cook at 50% power.
Be careful not to reheat the shrimp for too long, or it will become tough and rubbery.
What to Serve With
Smoked sausage, succulent shrimp, and crunchy veggies make for a delicious one-pan meal. To make the dish more filling and satisfying, we served it over a bed of steamed rice, along with a Greek salad, and pineapple celery juice. The combination makes for a 750-calorie meal and is rich in nutrients.
Amazing Shrimp Dishes to Try Out
Spice things up with these delectable and irresistible Spicy Shrimp Recipes. For dishes that carry the same flavor intensity as this Cajun shrimp and sausage, we recommend some of the following:
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Recipe
Prepared in just minutes, our Cajun shrimp and sausage recipe makes a quick and wholesome meal for weeknight dinners and weekend gatherings.
- cook TIME 10 mins
- prep TIME 10 mins
- total TIME 20 mins
- COURSE Main Course
- CUISINE American
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 505 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 11 oz peeled and deveined shrimp (equal to 22 oz raw shrimp)
- 4 oz smoked sausage (sliced)
- 2 oz red bell pepper (cubed)
- 4 oz yellow bell pepper (cubed)
- 6 oz zucchini (cubed)
- 3 cups cooked medium-grain rice
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 tbsp garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp parsley (chopped)
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add 4 oz smoked sausage over medium heat. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
Increase the heat to medium, add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp garlic to the skillet. Stir for 30 seconds.
Add 11 oz shrimp, 1 tsp thyme, 1/4 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Cook the shrimp until browned, stirring often, until opaque and cooked through, about 2 minutes.
Stir in 2 oz red bell pepper, 4 oz yellow bell pepper, 6 oz zucchini, 2 tbsp unsalted butter and cook for an extra 4 minutes.
Take off the heat. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped parsley.
Serve hot with steamed rice.
NUTRITION
Tuyet Pham
Head Chef, Culinary Consultant
Luna Regina
Writer, Author
Natalie Butler, RD, LD
Nutrition Reviewer
- rathofpazSpicy and flavorful Cajun shrimp and sausage