Cajun Shrimp Pasta: A Flavorful and Creamy Delight
Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a bold, creamy dish featuring tender shrimp, spicy Cajun seasoning, and perfectly cooked pasta in a rich Parmesan sauce. A restaurant-quality meal that's easy to make at home.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs
- Measuring cups
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine
- 1 tbsp salt for boiling water
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter for sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning for sauce, adjust to taste
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for extra heat
- to taste salt and pepper
- optional fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- optional lemon wedges for garnish
- optional extra grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Toss shrimp with Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2–3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 3–4 minutes, stirring, until sauce thickens slightly.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Return shrimp to skillet and toss gently to combine.
- Transfer to serving plates. Garnish with parsley, lemon wedges, and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to your spice preference. Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 32gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 210mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 12IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 16mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
