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Delicious Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe – Weeknight Win!

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Indulge in the rich and flavorful experience of Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta, a dish that brings the heart of Louisiana to your kitchen. This easy-to-make recipe combines succulent shrimp with a creamy, spice-infused sauce over perfectly cooked pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp (preferably large or jumbo, 21–25 count)
  • 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta (or penne/rotini)
  • 1–2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 medium onion (yellow or white), chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or whipping cream)
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup non-alcoholic white cooking beverage or additional chicken/vegetable broth
  • Fresh chopped parsley or green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pasta: Get a large pot of salted water boiling for your pasta. Cook your chosen pasta according to package directions until it's al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 to 1 ½ cups of that starchy pasta water.
  2. Prep the Shrimp: Pat your thawed shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Toss the shrimp with 1-2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl.
  3. Cook the Shrimp: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
  4. Sauté the Aromatics: Add another tablespoon of butter and a splash of olive oil to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion and bell peppers. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  5. Deglaze and Build the Sauce: Pour in your non-alcoholic white cooking beverage or an equal amount of broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and let it simmer for a minute until slightly reduced.
  6. Add the Cream and Seasoning: Stir in the chicken or vegetable broth, heavy cream, and another 1-2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes to thicken.
  7. Melt in the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  8. Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta and seared shrimp back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley or green onions.

Nutrition

Keywords: Don't overcook the shrimp; they cook quickly and should be removed as soon as they turn pink and opaque. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.

Find it online: https://mamablueberry.com/delicious-creamy-cajun-shrimp-pasta-recipe-weeknight-win/