Low-Carb Cajun Orzo Bowl with Shrimp and Andouille Sausage

Are you craving dinner with a kick? This beautiful recipe includes shrimp, sausage, and plenty of spice. With It’s Skinny Orzo, you can get all that Southern comfort without any of the guilt.

Our low-carb Cajun orzo bowl is a don’t-miss. If you’re looking for something to break up the monotony and wow your tastebuds, you’ve found your recipe. Best of all, it couldn’t be easier to make this keto-friendly dish!

Exploring Cajun-Style Cuisine

Whether you’re from the South or just an appreciator of delicious food, chances are Cajun cuisine is on your radar. For those unfamiliar, Cajun cooking started with the French-speaking Acadians in Louisiana. It’s a resourceful style of cooking with delicious spices and filling components.

When the Acadian people arrived in Louisiana after they were exiled from Canada in the 18th Century, they brought their French culinary skills along with them. They applied those cooking techniques to the local ingredients from the swamps and bayous, and thus, Cajun cooking was born.

What makes Cajun cuisine distinctive? It’s all about the bold flavors—think spices like cayenne, black pepper, and garlic. Most Cajun cooking starts with the “Holy Trinity” of onions, bell peppers, and celery—they're found in almost every classic Cajun dish. Cajun food is closely related to Creole cuisine, but Creole food is tomato-based and includes influences from several other cultures.

Cajun food focuses on simple ingredients and highlighting natural flavors. It typically includes smoked meats like sausage, seafood (like shrimp), or game meats. If you’ve ever had New Orleans classic jambalaya, that’s Cajun cuisine! Gumbo and étouffée are delicious Cajun meals.

More than just bold flavors, Cajun cooking is a culture. With Cajun cuisine, you can expect hearty portions and a sense of community. It's all about connection to Louisiana's local land and resilient, vibrant culture. Crawfish boils, and gumbo cook-offs seem to say, "Everyone, come over and try this!" Every meal brings a sense of togetherness and feels like a celebration—full of warmth and hospitality.

For this dish, we used andouille sausage. The smoked sausage originated in France, but over time, andouille sausage has developed a distinctive, robust Louisiana-style flavor that evokes the vibe of Cajun cuisine. Andouille is made from seasoned pork, onions, pepper, and a unique mix of spices.

When you combine andouille with sweet, juicy shrimp, you get the perfect flavor and texture. Shrimp complements the other ingredients perfectly. It's a great source of protein and a wonderful component to keep on hand in the freezer (of course, picking up fresh shrimp is always a great choice).

Like many Cajun dishes, this orzo bowl brings together the best of the land and waterways to create a crave-worthy dish you'll love.

Make it Keto-Friendly with It’s Skinny Orzo

Let’s talk about It’s Skinny Orzo. If you’re looking for a way to lighten up and keto-fy your favorite dishes, It’s Skinny Orzo is about to be your BFF.

Here’s the deal—It's Skinny Orzo has the taste and texture of rice. It won’t overpower your dishes or water things down. Unlike regular rice, you don’t need a rice cooker or anything special to cook It’s Skinny. Simply open up the pack, drain, rinse, and add it to your other ingredients at the end of cooking.

It's Skinny heats through in about 3 minutes. It has zero net carbs and only 9 calories per pack. That means you can enjoy all your favorite meals again! Use It's Skinny in noodle recipes, pasta dishes, and rice bowls like this yummy Cajun bowl with shrimp and andouille sausage!

Don’t miss out on It’s Skinny noodles, either. Our pasta cooks up perfectly each and every time with very low effort. You don’t need to be a chef or even an experienced cook. We’ve created It’s Skinny in four great styles so you can swap up the carbs in all your favorite meals. Choose from:

• Spaghetti

• Angel Hair

• Fettuccine

• Orzo

It’s Skinny comes in Organic and Traditional styles, too. Order a variety pack to try all the styles in your recipes. We're also very excited to announce Skinny Mac! It's our keto-friendly boxed mac and cheese (that tastes like you worked all day on a creamy, homemade sauce).

With It’s Skinny, there’s no guilt, no matter the lifestyle. It’s Skinny is gluten-free, vegan, and keto-friendly. It's great for those who follow the Paleo or Whole 30 diet. It's so low in calories and net carbs that Intermittent Fasters can enjoy It's Skinny without breaking their fast!

How did we do it? A special ingredient called konjac makes it all come together. Konjac root is a funny little turnip-like plant that is a perfect base for low-carb pasta and orzo. You may have heard of Shirataki noodles. It's Skinny Pasta is shirataki or miracle noodles, but without the funky aftertaste or too-chewy texture. Our special formula helps you enjoy keto-friendly pasta and orzo as good as the real deal!

It's Skinny beats other keto diet carb swaps like cauliflower rice and zoodles. It won't water down your dish (or taste like cauliflower). It's a great way to enjoy your favorite meals while keeping your carb count low.

Remake all your dishes the It’s Skinny way. We have even more tasty keto-friendly recipes to help you create your perfect pasta or rice meal without all the extra carbs! Yep! It’s amazing!

Craving Cajun? Some Tips on this Shrimp and Orzo Bowl

Are you craving Cajun-style cooking? Well, get ready to tuck in and enjoy this yummy and beautiful low-carb recipe of It’s Skinny Orzo, spicy, smokey, andouille sausage, and big, beautiful shrimp! This sausage skillet dish will make any cook feel like a total rockstar in the kitchen.

But if you’re new to cooking, you might have some questions. Here are a few tips to help you make Cajun Shrimp and Sausage with Orzo.

What other vegetables go with this Cajun orzo bowl?

This recipe is perfect for cleaning out your fridge. The classic Cajun ingredients are onion, bell pepper, and often celery, but you can also throw in some other veggies. This dish is excellent with leafy greens like kale or spinach.

We used a red bell pepper in our version, but you could easily use a green pepper too. Feel free to use hot peppers, any style of onion, additional garlic, and any Cajun-friendly ingredients. Green onions are great, but chives would also work. Pickled okra can be a yummy addition; carrots, green beans, or any veggie you love will add a nutritious twist and fit right in with this flavorful meal!

Can I use anything other than shrimp?

A signature of Cajun cooking is the combination of surf and turf—pork sausage with shellfish, highlighted in this Cajun shrimp recipe. But you could easily swap out the shrimp for any other seafood you like. Crab legs, crawfish, mussels, and even catfish would all go well in this bowl.

Not a seafood person? You can try mushrooms instead of shrimp here. Otherwise, chicken breasts or turkey would also be yummy with the smokey sausage. If you can't find andouille sausage another smokey sausage will also fit in here. Play around with the flavors; they'll likely still come together deliciously.

What is in Cajun seasoning?

Most store-bought Cajun seasoning contains a blend of black and white pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic. Occasionally, seasonings include thyme, mustard powder, chili powder, or cumin.

In a pinch, you could create homemade Cajun seasoning with garlic salt, red pepper flakes, and a little thyme. This meal also plays very well with herbs like fresh parsley, oregano, dill, marjoram, and chives. Season with hot sauce if you want more of a kick. A little lemon juice also goes well with this sausage recipe.  

How to Make a Low-Carb Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Bowl

Are you ready to stop reading and start cooking this keto shrimp and sausage jambalaya recipe? Gear up for savory, spicy flavors that you’re going to love. Unlike many hearty Southern dishes, this one won’t take all day. It’s ready fast even for a busy weeknight. With zero net carb It’s Skinny Orzo you can make a real crowd pleaser that won’t derail anyone’s diet.