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Cajun Shrimp Pasta

A quick and delicious Cajun Shrimp Pasta featuring succulent shrimp and creamy sauce, cooked in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp
  • 8–10 shrimp 8–10 shrimp, peeled and deveined Fresh or thawed if frozen
  • 1–2 cloves 1–2 cloves garlic, minced For seasoning
  • 1 small 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp Cajun seasoning For seasoning shrimp
  • Pinch Pinch of salt and pepper For seasoning shrimp
For the Pasta
  • 80 g 80g pasta (any kind—penne, fettuccine, spaghetti all work) Cook until al dente
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup pasta water Reserve before draining pasta
For the Sauce
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp olive oil For cooking shrimp
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper Adjust to taste
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp chili flakes Optional
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup ⅓ to ½ cup half and half cream To achieve desired creaminess

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Season the shrimp: Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
  2. Sear shrimp: Heat a non-stick pan with olive oil, then add shrimp. Sear for 2–3 minutes per side until they turn pink and crispy. Remove and set aside.
  3. Cook pasta: In a pot, boil salted water and throw in the pasta. Cook until al dente, and don’t forget to reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining!
  4. Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add garlic and shallots. After a minute, toss in the bell pepper, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, cayenne, parsley, chili flakes, and salt.
Cooking
  1. Create the sauce: Pour in the half and half cream. Gradually add in pasta water until you hit that perfect sauce consistency. Let it simmer.
  2. Combine everything: Add the shrimp back to the pan along with the cooked pasta. Toss to coat everything in that rich, creamy goodness. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to warm through. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Serve and enjoy: Serve hot and garnish as desired.

Notes

Timing is key: Make sure your pasta is done just as your shrimp is cooked — nobody likes overcooked pasta. Ingredient swaps: Swap shrimp for your fave protein, like chicken or tofu, if shrimp isn’t your vibe. Texture tips: For a bit of crunch, toss in some cooked veggies like spinach or asparagus just before serving. Got leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer shelf life, freeze for about a month.