Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp & Sausage Skillet Pasta Recipe

Whipping up a mouthwatering garlic butter shrimp & sausage skillet pasta promises an explosion of flavors that’ll make dinner feel like a celebration.

Aromas of sizzling sausage and succulent seafood will immediately capture your senses.

Bold ingredients dance together in one pan, creating a seriously delicious meal.

Each ingredient brings its own personality to this incredible dish.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together.

Colorful and packed with protein, it satisfies those intense hunger moments.

You’ll be amazed how something so simple can taste incredibly complex and delightful.

Garlic Butter Shrimp & Sausage Skillet Pasta

• Savor Quick Comfort: Enjoy a mouthwatering one-pan meal that combines succulent shrimp, hearty sausage, and perfectly cooked pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce, making dinner preparation a breeze.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe to your taste by adjusting spice levels with red pepper flakes or swapping proteins, giving you ultimate flexibility for different flavor preferences and dietary needs.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Create a restaurant-worthy dish without the fancy techniques, delivering impressive flavors and a professional-looking meal that will wow family and friends with minimal cooking skills required.
• Minimal Cleanup Magic: Utilize a single skillet to prepare this entire dish, reducing kitchen mess and cutting down on dishwashing time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy cooking days.

Ingredients for Shrimp & Sausage Skillet Pasta

• Pasta: A classic base that provides a hearty foundation for the dish.
• Shrimp: Tender seafood that adds a delicate and succulent protein to the skillet.
• Sausage: Flavorful meat that brings a rich and savory element to the recipe.

• Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes: Ingredients that create a bold and spicy flavor profile for the dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter, Chicken Broth, Pasta Water: Components that help create a smooth and flavorful sauce that coats the pasta and proteins.

• Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Parsley: Toppings that add a fresh and cheesy finish to the skillet pasta.

How to Prepare Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook the pasta following package guidelines. Save some pasta water before draining, then set aside the cooked noodles.

Step 2: Sear Succulent Shrimp

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp until they turn pink and are fully done, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Transfer shrimp to a separate plate.

Step 3: Brown Delicious Sausage

In the same skillet, add sausage slices and cook until they develop a beautiful golden-brown color, around 3-4 minutes.

Remove sausage and set aside with the shrimp.

Step 4: Create Magical Sauce

Lower heat to medium and melt butter in the skillet.

• Minced garlic
• Red pepper flakes

Cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth and reserved pasta water, then let simmer for 2 minutes.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Return pasta, shrimp, and sausage to the skillet. Toss everything until well mixed and heated through.

Step 6: Finish with Flair

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top. Serve hot and enjoy immediately.

Tips for Flavorful Skillet Pasta

• Save the starchy pasta water to create a silky, smooth sauce that helps ingredients stick together perfectly.
• Cook shrimp just until they turn pink to prevent rubbery texture – 2-3 minutes is the sweet spot for tender, juicy bites.
• Let sausage slices develop a nice golden-brown crust for maximum flavor depth and appetizing appearance.
• Add garlic at medium heat and cook briefly to release its aromatic oils without burning, creating a rich base for the sauce.
• Sprinkle chopped parsley just before serving to add bright color and fresh flavor that elevates the entire dish.

Variations on Shrimp & Sausage Pasta

• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, gluten-free alternative that reduces carbohydrate intake.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Swap: Substitute shrimp and sausage with grilled halloumi cheese and roasted chickpeas, maintaining the garlic butter sauce's rich flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Remix: Add Cajun seasoning to the shrimp and sausage, incorporating andouille sausage for an extra kick of heat and authentic Louisiana-style taste.
• Dairy-Free Coconut Adaptation: Use coconut oil instead of butter and swap Parmesan with nutritional yeast, creating a lactose-free version that still delivers robust flavor.

Pairings That Complement Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Enhance the dish's rich, garlicky flavors with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the buttery sauce and complementing the seafood's delicate taste.
• Serve warm, toasted artisan bread or a baguette to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce, adding a delightful textural contrast to the pasta.
• Create a light, refreshing green salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty skillet pasta, providing a bright and tangy counterpoint to the rich protein and sauce.

Proper Storage for Shrimp & Sausage Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor absorption.
• Transfer cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for 1-2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute with other short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or farfalle that hold sauce well and are easy to mix with shrimp and sausage.

• Is this dish spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but you can adjust the amount or omit them completely for a non-spicy version. The heat level is totally customizable.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

While best served fresh, you can prep ingredients in advance and cook quickly. Just be careful not to overcook shrimp when reheating to maintain their tender texture.

• What if I don't have chicken broth?

You can substitute with vegetable broth or white wine for similar depth of flavor. Water works in a pinch, but broth adds more richness to the sauce.

Garlic Butter Shrimp & Sausage Skillet Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering garlic butter shrimp & sausage skillet pasta brings southern coastal comfort straight to dinner tables. Hearty proteins mingle with silky noodles, creating a satisfying meal where spicy sausage and succulent shrimp dance together in rich, herbed butter sauce you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound (226 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound (226 grams) smoked sausage, sliced

Pasta Ingredient:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine or spaghetti

Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup starchy liquid before draining.
2. Sauté shrimp in hot olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn vibrant pink; transfer to a separate plate.
3. In the identical skillet, brown sausage slices until caramelized edges form, approximately 3-4 minutes; remove and set alongside shrimp.
4. Reduce skillet temperature to medium and melt butter, incorporating minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes; cook until aromatic, roughly 1 minute.
5. Pour chicken broth and reserved pasta water into the skillet, allowing liquid to simmer and slightly reduce for 2 minutes.
6. Reintroduce cooked pasta, previously seared shrimp, and browned sausage into the skillet, gently tossing until everything is evenly heated and coated with sauce.
7. Finish the dish by generously sprinkling Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley over the top, then serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Choose sausage with low sodium to reduce salt intake and support heart health.
• Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options for dietary preferences.
• Use jumbo or medium shrimp based on personal texture and cooking time preferences.
• Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to control spice level and suit different heat tolerances.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 462 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg