Description
Make this creamy Cajun shrimp pasta in 30 minutes! Juicy shrimp, bold Cajun spices, and a rich sauce make it the perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Fettuccine or linguine (8-10 oz): These noodles hold the creamy sauce beautifully, but you can use any pasta you have on hand.
- 1 tablespoon butter: Adds richness and flavor.
- 2 tablespoons butter: Because creamy sauces deserve a little extra love.
- 4 cloves garlic: Minced (because garlic makes everything better)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream: The base of that luscious, creamy sauce.
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated—it melts better than pre-shredded.
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning: For extra flavor in the sauce.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
- ½ cup reserved pasta water: This helps thin the sauce and make it silky smooth.
- Salted water: Always salt your pasta water—it’s the secret to better-tasting noodles.
- 1 lb shrimp: Peeled, deveined, and tails removed. Fresh or frozen both work great (just thaw frozen shrimp first).
- 2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning: Store-bought works, but homemade is even better (recipe below!).
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For cooking the shrimp.
- 1 tablespoon butter: Adds richness and flavor.
- 2 tablespoons butter: Because creamy sauces deserve a little extra love.
- 4 cloves garlic: Minced (because garlic makes everything better).
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream: The base of that luscious, creamy sauce.
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated—it melts better than pre-shredded.
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning: For extra flavor in the sauce.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
- ½ cup reserved pasta water: This helps thin the sauce and make it silky smooth.
Instructions
Inside a sizable pot of salted boiling water, the pasta is to be boiled until it is just cooked-the water is then absorbed, and the pasta is set aside.
Toss the shrimp in a bowl with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt, and pepper until coated.
Over medium heat, you will drizzle the oil in a large skillet. Now that skillet is ready, add shrimp in one single layer. Allow it to cook for around 3-5 minutes while flipping it halfway through until it turns pink and is well done. Transfer it to a plate and set it aside.
Add any oil required; add the bell pepper and sauté for a few minutes with some additional Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. After adding the tomatoes, stir to combine thoroughly, then sprinkle in some green onions, and cook until softened. Pour the vegetables over the shrimp.
In a small bowl, combine the milk and cornstarch and whisk them to make a smooth mixture. Now return the skillet to the heat, and melt the butter; pour in the milk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Allow to come to a gentle simmer, and blend in the cream cheese until it’s melted and creamy. Sprinkle in the rest of the Cajun seasoning for good measure.
Put back the cooked pasta, shrimp, and vegetables in the skillet. Stir it all up, making sure every bit of the creamy Cajun sauce coats the pasta and shrimp. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to make it thinner.
Top your Cajun shrimp pasta with additional green onions, fresh parsley, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Then, serve it hot, and enjoy every creamy, spicy bite!
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of Cajun seasoning.
- Serve with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing, simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun, Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, shrimp pasta, Cajun pasta, shrimp recipe, Cajun seasoning pasta, spicy shrimp pasta, pasta with shrimp