Description
Cajun Shrimp and Crab Pasta is a flavorful and creamy seafood dish featuring succulent shrimp and sweet crab meat tossed in a zesty Cajun-spiced cream sauce with linguine or fettuccine pasta. This easy-to-make meal combines bold Southern spices, fresh seafood, and a rich sauce for a comforting yet elegant dinner perfect for family meals or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1 pound fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces lump crab meat
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and herbs)
- Salt, to taste
Sauce and Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Aromatics
- 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Fat for Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Seafood: Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning and a pinch of salt. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the shrimp until pink and just cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside. In the same pan, gently warm the crab meat to keep it tender, avoiding overcooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil linguine or fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. This starchy water will help adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add more butter or olive oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic and finely chopped onion until fragrant and translucent. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and additional Cajun seasoning to taste, whisking until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce along with the sautéed shrimp and warmed crab meat. Toss gently to coat everything evenly, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to thin the sauce if desired.
- Final Touches: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp and crab whenever possible for best flavor and texture.
- Do not overcook shrimp; remove as soon as they turn pink to prevent rubberiness.
- Balance the heat by adjusting Cajun seasoning; the cream sauce helps mellow out the spice.
- Reserve pasta water to keep the sauce silky and help it cling to the noodles.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for richer flavor rather than pre-grated cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, crab pasta, seafood pasta, creamy seafood pasta, Cajun recipe, easy seafood dinner, spicy shrimp pasta
