Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Pasta

I had two other dishes on the menu that contained a couple of the items in this pasta, mainly the shrimp and sausage. Neither of us really wanted the other dishes and I wanted pasta so I found an Emeril recipe and adapted it to fit what we had. We were definitely rewarded! This was fairly easy to make (although it did require a little bit more prep work than usual) and a little spicy, but oh so yummy!

Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Pasta

adapted from Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients

1/2 - 3/4 lb cooked fettuccine

2 TBS olive oil

1 lb peeled, deveined raw large shrimp

1 TBS plus 2 tsp Essence seasoning (recipe below - I think you can buy this, too.)

1 1/2 smoked turkey sausages, sliced and quartered (I use Butterball)

1/2 cup diced green pepper

1/2 cup diced yellow onion

1 TBS minced garlic

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Essence Creole Seasoning

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Directions

Heat 1 TBS of olive oil over medium high heat in a large saute pan. Season the shrimp with 2 teaspoons of the Essence. Place the shrimp in the pan and saute until almost done. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. 

Place the remaining TBS of olive oil in the saute pan and onions and bell peppers. Saute, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the sausage and cook another minute.

Add the garlic to the pan and saute for 30 seconds. 

Add the chicken stock to the pan and scrape with a spoon to remove any browned bits that have formed in the bottom of the pan, about 30 seconds. 

Add the thyme, 1 TBS of Essence and 1/2 tsp salt and cook for 2 minutes. 

Add the heavy cream to the pan and cook an additional 2 minutes. 

Return the shrimp to the pan and pasta to the pan. Continue to cook the sauce and pasta, stirring occasionally, for about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the basil and Parmesan. 

Enjoy!