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Easy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

easy cajun shrimp and sausage sheet pan dinner - featured image

A quick and flavorful sheet pan dinner featuring smoky sausage, tender shrimp, and roasted vegetables with a balanced Cajun spice blend. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal prep and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium or large size)
  • 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds (Andouille sausage preferred)
  • 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 large green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Juice of half a lemon (optional, for brightness)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Whisk to mix evenly.
  3. Slice smoked sausage into 1/2-inch rounds and set aside.
  4. Slice red and green bell peppers into thin strips, cut red onion into wedges, and mince garlic.
  5. In a large bowl, toss sausage, bell peppers, onion wedges, and minced garlic with olive oil until lightly coated.
  6. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the sausage and vegetables and toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
  7. Spread the sausage and vegetables in a single layer on a rimmed sheet pan, avoiding overcrowding.
  8. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes until sausage releases fat and vegetables soften and caramelize.
  9. Remove pan from oven and add shrimp, tossing with pan drippings and extra Cajun seasoning if desired.
  10. Return pan to oven and roast for an additional 6-8 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque. Watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
  11. Remove from oven, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish, and garnish with chopped parsley.
  12. Serve immediately.

Notes

If sausage darkens too quickly before vegetables soften, tent loosely with foil. Tossing halfway through cooking can help even browning but is optional to preserve crisp edges. Add shrimp later in cooking to avoid overcooking. Use wild-caught shrimp for better texture. Optional lemon juice and parsley garnish add brightness and freshness. For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage and shrimp with mushrooms and smoked tofu and use smoked paprika and liquid smoke for flavor. Adjust cayenne pepper to control heat level.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp, sausage sheet pan dinner, easy weeknight dinner, spicy shrimp, roasted vegetables, one-pan meal