Description
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta combines succulent, spicy shrimp with a rich, velvety sauce made from heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or linguine. Quick and easy to prepare, this dish bursts with bold Cajun flavors balanced by the creaminess of the sauce, making it a perfect weeknight meal that feels indulgent yet comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Additional Cajun seasoning to taste
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Extra Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Season the Shrimp: Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp in Cajun seasoning until they are fully coated, ensuring every bite will have a spicy kick.
- Sear the Shrimp: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and get lightly charred. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the fettuccine or linguine according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet used for the shrimp, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and additional Cajun seasoning to taste. Whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to the desired consistency.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat every strand. Fold in the cooked shrimp and heat everything together for another 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Garnish & Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving plates. Top with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the pasta with gluten-free noodles.
- For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Adjust the level of Cajun seasoning depending on your preferred spice tolerance.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp as they can become tough and rubbery.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce’s thickness and helping it cling to the pasta better.
