Description
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish featuring perfectly cooked shrimp tossed in a luscious, spicy cream sauce with tender fettuccine or penne pasta. This Cajun-inspired recipe balances bold seasoning with the smoothness of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese for an indulgent yet easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season and cook the shrimp: Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning until they are evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Add cheese and combine: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening.
- Reintroduce the shrimp and finish: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to warm through. Season the dish with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce fat content.
- This pasta pairs excellently with garlic bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
