This Cajun Shrimp Creamy Pasta combines succulent seafood with a rich, spicy sauce for an unforgettable dinner experience.
Quick Answer: Make Cajun Shrimp Creamy Pasta by sautéing seasoned shrimp until pink, then creating a creamy sauce with heavy cream, Parmesan, and Cajun spices. Toss with al dente pasta and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Fusion (Cajun-Italian)
Yield: 4 servings
Dietary: Contains dairy, shellfish
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect balance of creamy comfort and spicy kick
- Ready in just 45 minutes with minimal cleanup
- Easily customizable heat level
- Restaurant-quality meal at home
- Great for date night or entertaining
Quick Benefits
This Cajun Shrimp Creamy Pasta delivers restaurant-worthy flavors with simple ingredients. The combination of tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and rich cream sauce creates an impressive yet achievable weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (226 g) pasta, such as linguine or spaghetti
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoons dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon table salt, plus more to taste
- 1 lb extra-large shrimp, peeled, deveined, thawed, and patted dry (tails on or off)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons butter, salted or unsalted
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 140 g or 1 cup)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2-3 cloves)
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (157 ml) chicken broth
- 14.5 oz (411 g) can fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
- ¾ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus additional for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and keep warm until ready to use. Toss with a teaspoon of olive oil to prevent sticking if needed.
- In a small dish, whisk together smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Reserve 1 teaspoon of the spice mix for the sauce.
- Place shrimp in a large plastic bag and toss with the remaining Cajun seasoning until fully coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear shrimp in batches, cooking through before transferring to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle flour and reserved Cajun seasoning over the onion and garlic, stirring until the flour is fully absorbed.
- While stirring, slowly drizzle in chicken broth, scraping the browned bits from the skillet's bottom. Cook until the broth is reduced by half.
- Stir in the fire-roasted tomatoes, followed by the heavy cream until the mixture is well combined.
- Add the cooked pasta and grated parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss until the pasta is coated and the cheese is melted. Return shrimp to the skillet and cook until warmed through. Serve immediately, topped with additional parmesan cheese if desired.
You Must Know
- Don’t overcook the shrimp – they should be just pink and opaque
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving
- Use heavy cream, not half-and-half, for best results
- Watch heat level when adding Cajun seasoning
Serving Suggestions
- Crusty garlic bread
- Simple green salad
- Roasted asparagus
- Chilled white wine
- Lemon wedges
Creative Variations
- Substitute chicken for shrimp
- Add sautéed bell peppers and onions
- Use andouille sausage with the shrimp
- Make it lighter with half cream, half stock
Cultural Notes
This dish represents a delicious fusion of Cajun and Italian cuisines. While traditional Cajun cooking doesn’t typically include cream-based pasta dishes, this modern interpretation combines the bold spices of Louisiana with the comfort of Italian pasta traditions.
Pro Tips
- Pat shrimp dry before seasoning
- Use room temperature cream for smooth sauce
- Reserve pasta water before draining
- Don’t rinse the pasta after cooking
- Adjust spice levels gradually
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp for Cajun Shrimp Creamy Pasta?
A: Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before using.
Q: How spicy is this dish?
A: Moderately spicy, but adjustable by varying Cajun seasoning amount.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Best served fresh, but sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently.
Q: What pasta shapes work best?
A: Fettuccine, linguine, or penne work well.
Q: Can I use pre-grated Parmesan?
A: Fresh-grated provides better melting and flavor.
Health Benefits
Shrimp provides lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, while garlic offers immune-boosting properties. For a lighter version of this Cajun Shrimp Creamy Pasta, you can reduce cream and increase protein with extra shrimp.
Nutrition
(Per serving, estimate) Calories: 850 • Carbs: 65g • Protein: 42g • Fat: 45g • Sodium: 1200mg
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream to maintain sauce consistency.
Cajun Shrimp Creamy Pasta
This Cajun Shrimp Creamy Pasta combines succulent seafood with a rich, spicy sauce for an unforgettable dinner experience.
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream to maintain sauce consistency.