Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and lightly browned. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced red bell pepper and diced red onion to the same skillet. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Pour in the heavy cream and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Gently toss to combine and heat through for about 1 minute.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and lightly browned. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced red bell pepper and diced red onion to the same skillet. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Pour in the heavy cream and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Gently toss to combine and heat through for about 1 minute.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min