Description
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish combining perfectly cooked penne pasta with spicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp in a rich garlic tomato cream sauce. Ready in just about 25 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight meal that balances bold spices with comforting creaminess, garnished with parmesan and parsley for an extra touch of freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided, or adjusted to taste)
Sauce
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
Garnish
- 2 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve some pasta water before draining. Cover the pasta to keep it warm.
- Season and Sauté the Shrimp: Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and sauté for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn opaque and are cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and cover to keep warm.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in diced tomatoes and sauté for 2–3 minutes to develop flavor.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in heavy whipping cream, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and grated parmesan cheese. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine and Finish: Return the shrimp and pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Heat through briefly.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Cajun shrimp pasta and garnish with additional parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning according to your preferred spice level and the brand’s intensity.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Use fresh parsley for garnish to add brightness and color.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Ensure shrimp is cooked just until opaque to avoid toughness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently with a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.
