Cajun Shrimp Sausage Skillet (Printable)

Succulent shrimp and smoky sausage tossed with bell peppers, zucchini, and bold Cajun spices in one skillet.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 10 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 8 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or Kielbasa), sliced

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 small zucchini, sliced
06 - 1 small red onion, sliced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
09 - 1 ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
10 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
11 - ½ tsp dried thyme
12 - ¼ tsp salt, adjust to taste
13 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Set aside to marinate while preparing other ingredients.
02 - Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage slices and cook until browned, about 3–4 minutes.
03 - Add the bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables are just tender-crisp.
04 - Stir in the garlic, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
05 - Push the vegetables and sausage to the sides of the skillet. Add the seasoned shrimp to the center and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque throughout.
06 - Toss everything together in the skillet and heat through for 1–2 minutes to meld the flavors.
07 - Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pan, which means maximum flavor and minimum cleanup
  • The spice blend hits that perfect sweet spot where you want more but can still taste every ingredient
  • It comes together so fast that weeknight dinners actually feel like something special
02 -
  • Dry your shrimp thoroughly before seasoning or they will steam instead of sear
  • Crowding the pan cools everything down, so work in batches if your skillet is small
  • The vegetables continue cooking after you remove the pan, so pull them when they are slightly underdone
03 -
  • Let the skillet get properly hot before adding any ingredients, you should hear a satisfying sizzle immediately
  • Resist the urge to stir constantly, letting the vegetables develop some color creates deeper flavor

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