Description
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed with bold Cajun seasoning and tossed in a luscious cream sauce with penne pasta. This rich and spicy pasta meal comes together in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that combines Cajun flair with Italian comfort.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided (or to taste)
Sauce
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt, to taste (optional, as Cajun seasoning can be salty)
Garnish
- 2 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and cover to keep warm.
- Prepare Shrimp: Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning until well coated. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and sauté for 1-2 minutes per side until shrimp turns opaque and is cooked through. Remove from skillet and cover to keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics and Tomatoes: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and sauté for 2-3 minutes to soften and develop flavor.
- Make Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy whipping cream, remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp and drained pasta back into the skillet. Stir well to coat the pasta and shrimp with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Heat through for another minute.
- Serve: Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy, spicy Cajun shrimp pasta.
Notes
- You can adjust the quantity of Cajun seasoning to make the dish milder or spicier according to your taste.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream, but sauce may be less rich.
- If fresh parsley is unavailable, dried parsley can be used but add during cooking to bring out flavor.
- Reserve pasta water is important to adjust sauce consistency without diluting the flavor.
- This dish can be made gluten-free by substituting penne pasta with a gluten-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, Italian Fusion
