Sizzling Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe: A Spicy Comfort Classic

Whipping up a delectable cajun shrimp pasta brings zesty flavors dancing across your plate in minutes.

Spices swirl through creamy sauce, promising a meal that sparks conversation.

Louisiana’s culinary spirit infuses each twirled forkful with bold character.

Succulent shrimp nestle among silky noodles, creating a symphony of textures.

Weeknight dinners demand something extraordinary, and this recipe delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Hungry souls will appreciate how quickly comfort merges with excitement on their dinner table.

Prepare to savor every single bite of this mouthwatering masterpiece.

Why Cajun Shrimp Pasta Is Packed with Flavor

• Quick Weeknight Dinner: Whip up this Cajun Shrimp Pasta in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold Cajun seasoning, roasted red peppers, and creamy Parmesan sauce, this dish delivers a mouthwatering taste experience that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Create a restaurant-style meal without the hefty price tag, using simple ingredients and easy cooking techniques that make you feel like a professional chef.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Impress dinner guests or enjoy a cozy family meal with this adaptable recipe that suits various occasions, from casual weeknights to weekend gatherings.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta Grocery List

Main Ingredients:

• Fettuccine: Classic pasta perfect for creamy sauces with good sauce-holding abilities.
• Raw Shrimp: Fresh seafood that provides protein and pairs wonderfully with Cajun spices.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and adds subtle flavor to the dish.
• Butter: Creates rich, smooth base for creamy sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and liquid foundation for sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Provides tangy base and slight texture to sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky sauce consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken sauce.

• Cajun Seasoning: Spicy blend that gives signature Louisiana-style heat.
• Onion: Adds sweet, aromatic base to sauce.
• Garlic: Provides intense, sharp flavor profile.
• Roasted Red Peppers: Brings smoky, sweet undertone to dish.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens overall flavor and adds slight acidity.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers fresh, herbal garnish with visual appeal.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances and balances overall taste.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta Flavorful Steps

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Get a big pot rolling with salted water.

Drop in the fettuccine and cook until perfectly tender.

Before draining, scoop out some pasta water and set it aside – this liquid gold will help smooth out your sauce later.

Step 2: Spice Up the Shrimp

Grab your shrimp and shower them with Cajun seasoning, making sure each piece gets a delicious, fiery coat.

Step 3: Sear the Shrimp

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Spread the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook quickly – about 2 minutes per side until they turn opaque and gorgeous.

Scoop them out and keep warm.

Step 4: Build the Flavor Base

• Diced onion
• Minced garlic
• Roasted red peppers

Cook until everything smells incredible and softens beautifully.

Step 5: Create the Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Crushed tomatoes

Let the mixture simmer and slightly thicken for a few minutes.

Step 6: Make It Creamy

• Heavy cream
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Blend until smooth, adding reserved pasta water if needed for perfect consistency.

Step 7: Bring It All Together

Reunite the shrimp with the pasta, tossing everything in the luscious sauce until each strand is coated.

Step 8: Final Touches

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish.

Season with salt and black pepper.

Sprinkle chopped parsley on top.

Serve immediately and watch everyone dive in!

Cajun Shrimp Pasta Cooking Tricks

• Marinate shrimp in Cajun seasoning for 15 minutes before cooking to deepen the spicy profile and enhance overall taste.
• Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, ensuring a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every strand of fettuccine.
• Customize Cajun seasoning intensity by adjusting the amount, allowing everyone from mild-lovers to heat enthusiasts to enjoy the dish.
• Add fresh parsley just before serving to introduce a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the rich, creamy sauce.
• Replace shrimp with chicken or blackened tofu for a versatile meal that accommodates different dietary preferences and protein needs.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta That Stays Creamy After Reheating

• Store leftover Cajun Shrimp Pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• Keep pasta and sauce separately to prevent soggy noodles and maintain better texture when reheating.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of water, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture and prevent drying out.

What Complements Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Spice Up Your Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the Cajun spice and cuts through the creamy sauce.
• Craft the Perfect Side Kick: Serve a light, zesty arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the pasta and provide a fresh contrast to the spicy shrimp.
• Bread Basket Boost: Prepare garlic herb focaccia or crusty French bread to soak up the delicious sauce, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture to the meal.
• Chill with a Cool Companion: Mix a refreshing citrus mojito or a classic margarita to cool down the Cajun heat and enhance the overall dining experience with a bright, tangy drink.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Add-On Ideas

• Gluten-Free Pasta Swap: Replace traditional fettuccine with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate alternative that maintains the Cajun shrimp flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese to create a creamy sauce without dairy ingredients.
• Vegetarian Protein Alternative: Replace shrimp with plant-based options like sautéed tofu, tempeh, or roasted cauliflower florets seasoned with Cajun spices for a meat-free version of the dish.

FAQs

• What is Cajun seasoning made of?

Cajun seasoning typically includes a blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, oregano, and thyme, creating a spicy and flavorful mix that gives the shrimp its signature kick.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

While fettuccine works great, you can substitute with other long noodles like linguine or penne. Just ensure the pasta can hold the creamy sauce and complement the shrimp.

• How do I know when the shrimp is fully cooked?

Shrimp is done when it turns opaque and forms a “C” shape. Overcooking will make it tough and rubbery, so cook just until it turns pink and curls slightly, which takes about 2 minutes per side.

• Is this dish spicy?

The spice level depends on the amount of Cajun seasoning you use. Start with 1 tablespoon for a mild flavor, and add more if you prefer extra heat. You can always adjust the spiciness to your taste preference.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta delivers a spicy Southern symphony of flavors dancing across your palate. Robust Creole seasonings blend with succulent shrimp and silky noodles, promising a delightful culinary journey that satisfies deep hunger.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine pasta

Seasoning and Flavoring:

• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup diced roasted red peppers (from a jar)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot and submerge fettuccine, cooking until it reaches the perfect tender yet firm consistency. Extract and preserve 1/2 cup of starchy liquid before draining the pasta.
2. Generously coat shrimp with Cajun seasoning, ensuring each morsel receives an even, spicy embrace.
3. Ignite a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Strategically arrange seasoned shrimp in a single layer, allowing each piece to transform into a golden, opaque delicacy. Swiftly remove once cooked and set aside.
4. In the same heated skillet, melt butter and introduce diced onions, coaxing them into a translucent state. Quickly incorporate minced garlic and roasted red peppers, releasing their aromatic essence.
5. Cascade chicken broth and crushed tomatoes into the skillet, whisking to create a harmonious blend. Allow the mixture to simmer and slightly condense for a few moments.
6. Gently reduce heat and introduce heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until a velvety, smooth sauce emerges. Adjust consistency by gradually incorporating reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Reunite the cooked shrimp with the pasta in the skillet, meticulously coating every strand with the luxurious sauce.
8. Elevate the dish’s brightness with a splash of lemon juice, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle chopped parsley as a final flourish before serving immediately.

Notes

• Prep shrimp meticulously by patting them completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect sear and prevent steaming.
• Customize Cajun heat level by adjusting seasoning intensity – use less for mild palates or more for spice lovers.
• Make dish gluten-free by substituting regular fettuccine with zucchini noodles or your preferred gluten-free pasta alternative.
• Enhance protein options by swapping shrimp with chicken or plant-based alternatives for diverse dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 180mg