Description
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta combines tender shrimp tossed in spicy Cajun seasoning with a rich, velvety sauce made from heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of chicken broth. Served over perfectly cooked fettuccine or linguine, this dish is a flavorful, comforting meal that is easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped parsley
- Lemon wedges (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season and cook shrimp: While the pasta cooks, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add butter and sauté the diced onion and sliced red bell pepper for 3–4 minutes until they soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, then pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine pasta and shrimp: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet, tossing everything to coat well with the creamy sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side if desired to add a fresh, tangy brightness.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your desired spice level.
- For a lighter variation, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Make sure to not overcook the shrimp to maintain a tender texture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth sauce consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 970mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 215mg
