Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb large shrimps, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- to taste chili flakes
- as needed dried basil or oregano, optional
- as needed pasta
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, toss the peeled and deveined shrimps with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl until they are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the cooked shrimp from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
⏱️ 4 min
- 4
Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add a small amount of olive oil if needed. Add the finely chopped bell pepper and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has softened. Stir in the minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of tomato paste, and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring well to combine all the ingredients in the skillet. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and chili flakes to your taste. Let the sauce gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has slightly thickened.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the cooked pasta, the cooked shrimp, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese to the sauce in the skillet. Toss everything together using tongs or a spatula until the pasta and shrimp are evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Finish by sprinkling with dried basil or oregano, if desired.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- 1/2 lb large shrimps, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- to taste chili flakes
- as needed dried basil or oregano, optional
- as needed pasta
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, toss the peeled and deveined shrimps with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl until they are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the cooked shrimp from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
⏱️ 4 min - 4
Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add a small amount of olive oil if needed. Add the finely chopped bell pepper and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has softened. Stir in the minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of tomato paste, and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring well to combine all the ingredients in the skillet. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and chili flakes to your taste. Let the sauce gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has slightly thickened.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the cooked pasta, the cooked shrimp, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese to the sauce in the skillet. Toss everything together using tongs or a spatula until the pasta and shrimp are evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Finish by sprinkling with dried basil or oregano, if desired.
⏱️ 3 min