Description
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a decadent, flavorful dish combining perfectly seasoned sautéed shrimp with a rich and creamy Cajun-infused sauce, tossed with al dente penne pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a satisfying meal that blends the spicy, bold flavors of Cajun seasoning with the smoothness of heavy cream and parmesan, garnished with fresh parsley for a touch of freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (for shrimp)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided total)
- 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 to serve
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following the package instructions. Reserve some pasta water before draining the pasta, then cover to keep warm while you prepare the rest.
- Cook Shrimp: Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and sauté for about 1-2 minutes per side until they turn opaque and are cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and cover to keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the diced tomatoes and sauté for 2-3 minutes to soften and develop flavor.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy whipping cream, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked shrimp and drained pasta back to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy Cajun sauce, heating through. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Serve garnished with additional parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water to help achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta types like fettuccine or linguine.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for half-and-half or use a lower-fat cream alternative.
