Smothered Shrimp with Andouille Sausage and Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Grits
Smothered Shrimp and Andouille Sausage with Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Grits is decadent, delicious and the perfect way to enjoy a New Orleans-inspired dinner at home! The Cajun seasoning, fire-roasted tomatoes and Andouille sausage give this smothered shrimp dish an amazing depth of flavor without having to make a time-consuming roux.
“I made this dish this past weekend and OMG!!!! Hands down one of the BEST New Orleans dishes I ever had!!!!!”
Origin of shrimp and grits:
Shrimp and grits, the classic Southern comfort food, originated in the coastal low country of South Carolina as a fisherman’s breakfast. Then in 1985, Craig Claiborne of The New York Times visited a popular restaurant there that served shrimp and grits. He subsequently wrote about it and this once humble regional dish gained national notoriety.
It has now evolved into an iconic dish that appears on restaurant menus all across the South and practically every Southern home cook also has their own version.
My version was inspired by a recipe from Emeril Lagasse, so it has a distinct New Orleans flair.
Tips for making Smothered Shrimp and Andouille Sausage”
- I prefer to make the Cajun seasoning blend myself or I use a good blend such as the one from Penzeys.
- As with any spicy seasoning, adjust it to YOUR taste. What’s hot for one person can taste barely seasoned to another!
- Please try to always use wild-caught American shrimp. Wild-caught American shrimp tastes better and has a superior texture. It’s the only type of shrimp I will eat and the only shrimp I use for my customers.
- To make ahead, prepare to the point of adding the shrimp. Cool thoroughly and refrigerate. To serve, bring to a simmer in a saucepan, then add the shrimp and cook through.
- The grits are also best prepared shortly before serving. Quick (not instant) grits are fine to use and are readily available in the cereal aisle. If yo mama taught you to always use stone-ground, then, by all means, you’d better do it.
Laissez les bon temps roulez!
Thank you, hope you enjoy and please share this From A Chef’s Kitchen reader favorite!
More New Orleans-inspired recipes you’ll love:
- Shrimp Creole
- Low Carb Jambalaya with Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage
- Pumpkin, Chipotle and White Cheddar Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
- Cauliflower Grits with Gouda Cheese and Blackened Shrimp
- Spicy Shrimp and Grits Casserole with Gouda Cheese
- Shrimp Burgers with Jalapeno Remoulade
- Easy Red Beans and Rice
Smothered Shrimp with Andouille Sausage and Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Grits
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Ingredients
Shrimp
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion - finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper - finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery - finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning - or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper - or to taste
- 3 links Andouille sausage links - (7 ounces) halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can (15-ounce) diced fire-roasted tomatoes - undrained
- 1 pound wild-caught American shrimp - (16-20 count) peeled, deveined and tail removed
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley - plus more for garnish
Grits
- 3 cups chicken broth
- salt
- 1/2 cup quick grits
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Shrimp
- Heat butter and oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, reduce heat to medium-low and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until beginning to soften. Add the green bell pepper and celery. Cook 7 to 8 minutes or until very soft.
- Stir in garlic, flour, Cajun seasoning and cayenne and cook briefly (15 seconds).
- Add sausage, chicken broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until reduced slightly and thickened.
- Stir in shrimp and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until just firm.
- Stir in heavy cream and heat through. Stir in parsley. Serve with grits.
Grits
- Bring chicken broth to a boil. Add salt to taste.
- Slowly stir in quick grits and cook per package directions. Stir in cheese, cream and black pepper. Serve with shrimp.
Recipe Notes
- If Andouille is too spicy for you, use kielbasa or another smoked sausage.
- Always try to use wild-caught American gulf shrimp. Wild-caught American shrimp tastes better and has a superior texture. Farmed shrimp tends to be rubbery.
- The sauce can be prepared up to two days ahead WITHOUT the shrimp.
- Reheat on the stovetop and add shrimp before serving.
- The grits are best prepared shortly before serving.
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
This is absolutely my favorite shrimp and grits recipe.
Hi, Gary, Thanks so much and happy you love this recipe! Really appreciate the testimonial!
This is amazing! It is one of the most requested recipes from my family that I make.
A few things I do a little different:
I start with four chicken thighs, cut into smaller pieces, dredged in creole seasoned flour and seared in olive oil and butter. Remove from pan once they are nicely browned. Proceed with recipe. Add chicken back in when combining tomatoes and broth with veggies.
I serve this with sliced green onions and a few shakes of tobasco!
Hi, Margaret, Thanks so very much and happy you enjoy this sauce recipe. I’m assuming you’ve adapted it to chicken because of a seafood or shellfish allergy. This sauce definitely works well with chicken. Thanks again and appreciate your taking the time to come back and comment and rate.
I’ve been making this for several years and it’s my absolute favorite shrimp and grits recipe. The flavors are spot on! I made your Shrimp Creole recipe last night and it was fabulous. Another keeper!
Hi, Suzanne, Thanks so very much and so happy you love both recipes! Appreciate your taking the time to come back and comment and rate.
This was WONDERFUL !!! I normally use a recipe for a white sauce but decided to try this for a change. My husband went on Face Book and was raving about it. Now I have quite a few request recipe. Will refer to your web site. Followed the recipe exactly…except for the Grits. The only thing I did different was to cook them longer because I like mine creamy. Thanks for the recipe !!
Thanks so very much and so happy you both enjoyed so much!! Really appreciate your taking the time to come back and comment but most of all, directing your friends and family back to my website. Thank you again!!
I recently made this for company and found the 2X recipe amount so helpful! It was outstanding and quite easy to make. I made it with your oven polenta recipe. It will be on my rotation. Thank you!
Hi, Lisa, Thanks so much and happy you love this recipe. Glad the 2X feature in the recipe card worked well for you. Appreciate your taking the time to come back and comment.
This has been a staple in my recipe Rolodex since probably 2017! I recently made it dairy-free by adding: 1/3 cup of homemade cashew heavy cream (blend 3/4 unsalted cashews with 1 cup water until smooth to make cashew heavy cream) and replaced the Parmesan with a dairy-free Parmesan called “Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Parmesan Shredded”. It’s my partner’s favorite dish and he approved of this dairy-free change. Thank you for this great recipe!!
Hi, Pop, That is awesome and thanks so much for this information. I’m sure other readers will appreciate it. Thanks again and so happy you love this recipe!
Sorry recipe say 1/2 cup grits; I used 3/4. I also didn’t see when to add the 2 tablespoons of parsley called for. I added it with the shrimp!
Thanks so much, Carol! Happy you enjoyed and the grits worked out. I adjusted the recipe; not sure what happened as no one else pointed that out. Thanks again!
I think the amount of grits (1/4 cup) was a misprint for 3 cups of broth. I went with 3/4 cup (old-fashioned) and 3 cups of broth. They came out perfect! Love the flavor! I browned my sausage before adding!