Description
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish combining tender shrimp seasoned with bold Cajun spices, a rich and velvety cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe offers a delicious balance of spice and creaminess, making it a perfect family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Pasta
- 1 lb fresh peeled and deveined shrimp
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
Seasonings and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and herbs)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Sauce and Cooking Fats
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well, reserving some pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency later, and set aside.
- Season and Cook the Shrimp: In a bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with the Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies: Using the same skillet, add diced onion, minced garlic, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, scraping up any flavorful bits left from the shrimp.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and an additional sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked shrimp and pasta into the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and shrimp in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top. Serve the creamy Cajun shrimp pasta immediately while hot for maximum flavor and satisfaction.
Notes
- Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp for best texture and flavor.
- Do not overcook shrimp; cook just until opaque to keep them juicy.
- Taste and adjust Cajun seasoning gradually to balance heat and creaminess.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous contrast and enhances presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta, Cajun shrimp, creamy pasta, quick shrimp dinner, spicy shrimp pasta, Cajun recipe, shrimp pasta
