Description
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Sausage Skillet Pasta is a flavorful and hearty one-pan dish combining juicy shrimp, smoky kielbasa sausage, and tender fettuccine in a creamy tomato-based sauce infused with garlic and aromatic herbs. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it brings together rich flavors and comforting textures with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Oils
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 ounces Kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1-inch pieces (or other cooked smoked sausage)
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Tomato Base
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Liquids and Pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (plus more as needed)
- 10 ounces fettuccini (or other hearty pasta)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (plus more as needed)
Instructions
- Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced kielbasa sausage and cook until browned and slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: In the same skillet, add shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside with the sausage.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to deepen its flavor and caramelize slightly.
- Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Add crushed tomatoes, dried rosemary, parsley, oregano, thyme, basil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all flavors.
- Add Chicken Broth and Simmer: Pour in chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Add the fettuccine to the skillet, pressing it down so it’s mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes according to package instructions, stirring occasionally. Add more broth if the pasta is exposed.
- Finish with Cream and Protein: When the pasta is almost tender, stir in the heavy cream, cooked sausage, and shrimp. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes to heat through and create a creamy sauce.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- If preferred, substitute kielbasa with other smoked sausage or precooked sausage.
- Make sure not to overcook shrimp to keep them tender.
- Add extra chicken broth or water if pasta begins to dry out before it’s fully cooked.
- Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried for a brighter flavor.
- To make it spicy, consider adding red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
