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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Generously coat shrimp with Cajun seasoning, ensuring each morsel receives an even, spicy embrace.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Reunite the cooked shrimp with the pasta in the skillet, meticulously coating every strand with the luxurious sauce.
- 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