Cajun Shrimp Pasta

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Cajun shrimp pasta is a tasty meal you can make in just 30 minutes. This dish has spicy shrimp, a creamy sauce, and pasta. You’ll love how the flavors blend together to make a meal that tastes like it’s from a fancy restaurant.

The recipe is easy to follow. You’ll cook the pasta, season the shrimp, and make a sauce with tomatoes and cream. Then you mix it all together. It’s a great choice for a quick dinner that’s still special.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty Cajun shrimp pasta:

• 8 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2-3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup diced roasted red peppers (from a jar)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking. The shrimp should be thawed if frozen. You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your liking.

Don’t forget to grab a large pot for the pasta and a big skillet for the sauce and shrimp. Having everything prepped and measured will make the cooking process smooth and easy.

Instructions

Start by cooking the pasta. Fill a big pot with water, add salt, and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until it’s al dente. This takes about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

While the pasta cooks, get your shrimp ready. Mix the shrimp with 1-2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning in a bowl. Make sure they’re evenly coated.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp in one layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and curl up. Take them out and put them on a plate.

Now, melt butter in the same skillet. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it’s soft. Toss in minced garlic and roasted red peppers. Cook for another 30 seconds.

Add the last tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and stir. Pour in chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and heavy cream. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens a bit.

Turn the heat down to low. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.

Finally, add your cooked pasta and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss everything together so it’s all coated in the sauce. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve right away. Enjoy your tasty Cajun shrimp pasta!

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can easily change up this Cajun shrimp pasta recipe to suit your tastes or what’s in your pantry. Here are some ideas:

Pasta options:

• Linguine
• Rigatoni
• Bow-tie pasta

Protein swaps:

• Chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Andouille sausage, sliced
• Crawfish tails

Veggie add-ins:

• Bell peppers
• Mushrooms
• Spinach

Try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce. You can also swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth if you prefer.

For a spicier kick, add more Cajun seasoning or a dash of hot sauce. If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, mix equal parts paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper.

Want to make it gluten-free? Use your favorite gluten-free pasta. For a low-carb option, try zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.

Feel free to get creative and make this dish your own!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best Cajun shrimp pasta, use large shrimp. They look great and cook evenly. If you’re using frozen shrimp, thaw them in cool water before cooking.

Don’t overcook the pasta. Aim for al dente – it should have a slight bite. This keeps the pasta from getting mushy when mixed with the sauce.

You can adjust the spice level to your taste. Start with less Cajun seasoning and add more if needed. Taste as you go!

To save time, buy pre-peeled and deveined shrimp. You can also use jarred minced garlic instead of fresh.

For leftovers, store the pasta in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce.

Try these easy swaps:

• Use chicken instead of shrimp
• Swap penne for fettuccine
• Add bell peppers for extra crunch

Remember to pat the shrimp dry before seasoning. This helps them brown nicely when cooking.