Forget boring pasta! This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a flavor fiesta on a plate! Plump, juicy shrimp bathe in a luxuriously creamy sauce infused with bold Cajun spices, promising an explosion of taste in every bite.
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This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta isn't just a dish, it's a celebration of bold flavors and comforting textures. While not a traditional Cajun recipe, it takes inspiration from the cuisine's signature "trinity" of onion, celery, and bell pepper, along with the heat and spice of Cajun seasoning. The creamy sauce, often compared to Alfredo, adds a touch of indulgence, creating a perfect balance between heat and comfort.
Ready to embrace the heat and indulge in a creamy, comforting journey to the flavors of Cajun country? Keep reading for the recipe and embark on a delicious adventure!
Experience other delightful pasta options such as truffle pasta or Kielbasa Pasta.
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🥘Ingredients
- Pasta: Choose a shape that will hold the creamy sauce well, like penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni.
- Shrimp: Fresh, peeled, and deveined shrimp are best. You can adjust the size depending on your preference.
- Cajun seasoning: Use a store-bought blend or create your own with paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and thyme.
- Creamy sauce: Heavy cream is a classic choice, but you can also use half-and-half or even Greek yogurt for a lighter option. Consider adding cheese like parmesan or cheddar for extra richness. For this recipe, I added cream cheese!
- Aromatics: Garlic and onion are essential for building flavor. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Diced Tomatoes. This adds sweetness, acidity.
- Butter: Everything is better with butter.
- Fresh, chopped parsley: A light and refreshing contrast to the creamy sauce, adding a pop of green color.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪Instructions To Make Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Boil the Pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. This is key to seasoning the pasta as it cooks.
- Cook the Pasta: Once the water is boiling, add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Don't forget to reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the shallots and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for an additional minute, making sure not to let them brown.
- Cook the Shrimp: Increase the heat to medium-high, add the shrimp, and season with half of the Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add the diced tomatoes to the pan, cooking for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and water, then season with the remaining Cajun seasoning, cream cheese, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk everything together until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the pan with the sauce. Toss until everything is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped parsley into the pan and let it simmer for another minute. Serve your Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta garnished with extra parsley or a dash of Cajun seasoning for an added kick.
📖Variations
- Swap the shrimp: Chicken, scallops, or even smoked sausage can replace the shrimp for a protein twist. Season accordingly to maintain the Cajun vibe.
- Add Bell pepper: Add chopped bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange) during the shallot sauteing for added sweetness and color.
- Mushroom: Saute sliced mushrooms with the shallots for an earthy depth of flavor.
- Lighten up: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a slightly lighter option
- Cheese it up: Grated Parmesan, cheddar, or mozzarella can be added to the sauce for an extra cheesy indulgence.
👉Storage
- Refrigeration: Allow any leftover pasta to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: When ready to enjoy the leftovers, you can reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated to your liking.
💭Top Tip
- Season Shrimp Well: Make sure to season the shrimp generously with Cajun seasoning before cooking to ensure they are flavorful and spicy.
- Don't Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly, so be careful not to overcook them. They should be pink and opaque when done, usually in just a few minutes.
- Adjust Cajun Seasoning to Taste: Cajun seasoning can vary in spiciness, so taste the sauce before adding the cooked shrimp and adjust the seasoning accordingly to your preferred level of heat.
- Use Heavy Cream Wisely: Be cautious when adding heavy cream to the sauce, as too much can make it overly rich. Start with a small amount and add more as needed to reach your desired creaminess.
- Customize the Pasta: Feel free to add extra ingredients like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the pasta for added flavor and nutrition.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta just until al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly when combined with the sauce. This helps prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
- Garnish Thoughtfully: Garnish the finished dish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and a pop of color.
- Serve Immediately: Creamy pasta dishes are best served immediately after cooking to prevent the sauce from becoming too thick or the shrimp from overcooking.
❓FAQ
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, you can use any type of pasta you prefer or have on hand. Linguine, fettuccine, or penne would work well.
How spicy is Cajun seasoning?
Cajun seasoning can vary in spiciness depending on the brand and ingredients used. It typically has a moderate level of heat, but you can adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp for this recipe. Thaw them in the refrigerator before cooking, and make sure to pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before seasoning and cooking.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While it's best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a day. Cook the shrimp and pasta just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
What can I serve as a side dish with this pasta?
This pasta pairs well with a simple green salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
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📋 Recipe
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Forget boring pasta! This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a flavor fiesta on a plate! Plump, juicy shrimp bathe in a luxuriously creamy sauce infused with bold Cajun spices, promising an explosion of taste in every bite.
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 skillet or large pan
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz Fetuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 2 pcs shallots finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- ¾ cup tomatoes diced
- 1½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup parsley leaves finely chopped
- 1 pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Set a large pot of water to boil. Don't forget a generous pinch of salt to season the pasta while it cooks.
- While the water heats, gather your ingredients: 8 oz of fettuccine, 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 finely chopped shallots, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp, 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, ¾ cup of diced tomatoes, 1.5 cups of heavy cream, ⅓ cup of cream cheese, ¼ cup of chopped parsley, and a pinch of black pepper.
- Once the water's a rolling boil, add the fettuccine. Cook according to package instructions until al dente (slightly firm to the bite). Remember to save about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta dances in the boiling water, grab a large skillet or Dutch oven and melt the butter over medium heat.
- Sauté the shallots for 2-3 minutes until softened, then add the fragrant garlic for another minute. Don't let them brown!
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp, seasoned with half the Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn a beautiful pink and opaque. Set them aside for a moment.
- Reduce the heat to medium and welcome the diced tomatoes to the pan. Give them 1-2 minutes to mingle with the aromatics, stirring occasionally.
- Now, pour in the heavy cream and water, creating a creamy base. Season it with the remaining Cajun seasoning, cream cheese, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and inviting.
- Remember the pasta? It should be perfectly al dente by now. Drain it, reserving that ½-1 cup of starchy pasta water.
- Reunite the pasta and shrimp with the creamy sauce in the pan. Toss everything together for an even coating of deliciousness.
- If the sauce feels too thick, add the pasta water. Gradually add it, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
- The grand finale! Sprinkle in the vibrant parsley and let it simmer for another minute.
- Dish it up and indulge! Garnish your Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with additional parsley or a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning for an extra kick.
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Notes
- Make sure to season the shrimp generously with Cajun seasoning before cooking to ensure they are flavorful and spicy.
- Shrimp cook quickly, so be careful not to overcook them. They should be pink and opaque when done, usually in just a few minutes.
- Cajun seasoning can vary in spiciness, so taste the sauce before adding the cooked shrimp and adjust the seasoning accordingly to your preferred level of heat.
- Be cautious when adding heavy cream to the sauce, as too much can make it overly rich. Start with a small amount and add more as needed to reach your desired creaminess.
- Feel free to add extra ingredients like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the pasta for added flavor and nutrition.
- Cook the pasta just until al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly when combined with the sauce. This helps prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
- Garnish the finished dish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and a pop of color.
Nutrition
Calories: 1210kcalCarbohydrates: 135.4gProtein: 29.5gFat: 66.5gSaturated Fat: 39.8gCholesterol: 238mgSodium: 723mgPotassium: 653mgFiber: 10.8gSugar: 6gCalcium: 289mgIron: 12mg
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Nutrition Facts
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Amount per Serving
Calories
1210
% Daily Value*
Fat
66.5
g
102
%
Saturated Fat
39.8
g
249
%
Cholesterol
238
mg
79
%
Sodium
723
mg
31
%
Potassium
653
mg
19
%
Carbohydrates
135.4
g
45
%
Fiber
10.8
g
45
%
Sugar
6
g
7
%
Protein
29.5
g
59
%
Calcium
289
mg
29
%
Iron
12
mg
67
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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