Description
This Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe combines tender shrimp tossed in a bold Cajun seasoning with a creamy sauce, fresh vegetables, and perfectly cooked linguine or fettuccine. It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that brings a taste of Louisiana to your dinner table, perfect for seafood lovers looking for a rich, spicy, and comforting pasta meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced (red and green)
- ½ cup green onions, sliced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine or fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the shrimp: In a bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
- Sauté shrimp and vegetables: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic, sliced bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Make the sauce: Lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well to combine with the vegetables, allowing the sauce to simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Combine pasta, shrimp, and sauce: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything gently until well coated and heated through. Stir in the sliced green onions.
- Serve: Transfer the Cajun shrimp pasta to serving plates. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less rich.
- Use fresh shrimp for best flavor, but frozen thawed shrimp can also be used.
- Feel free to swap bell peppers for your favorite veggies like zucchini or spinach.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy texture and fresh flavors.
