Description
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Succulent shrimp are seasoned with Cajun spices, sautéed to perfection, and combined with al dente penne pasta in a rich and creamy parmesan sauce with a hint of garlic and tomatoes. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe delivers a comforting and spicy meal that serves six.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided (adjust to taste)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve some pasta water before draining and cover the pasta to keep warm.
- Cook Shrimp: Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and sauté for 1-2 minutes per side, until shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and cover to keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt unsalted butter and add minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add diced tomatoes and sauté for 2-3 minutes to soften.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy whipping cream, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and grated parmesan cheese. Stir and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked shrimp and pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat the pasta and shrimp evenly with the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water by the splash if the sauce needs thinning. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning depending on how spicy you want the dish.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use fresh parsley for garnish to add a pop of color and freshness.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use reduced-fat cheese.
- Ensure shrimp is cooked just until opaque to avoid a rubbery texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
