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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy Cajun shrimp pasta with smoky spices, tender shrimp, and a rich velvety sauce perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade blend with paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml), low sodium
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta (225 g)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package instructions (about 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the rest and set pasta aside.
  2. Toss peeled and deveined shrimp with 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, chopped onion, and diced bell pepper. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Stir well to combine, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen.
  7. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet along with drained pasta. Toss gently to coat evenly in the creamy Cajun sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to meld flavors and warm through.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley or Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use moderate heat to prevent cream from curdling. Toast Cajun seasoning briefly in pan before adding liquids for enhanced flavor. Save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed. Serve immediately for creamiest sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, easy shrimp recipe, Cajun seasoning, seafood pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-cajun-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-rich-flavor-guide/