Description

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish combining tender shrimp seasoned with bold Cajun spices, a rich and velvety cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests with its layers of spice, creaminess, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp

1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Pasta

8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta

Seasonings & Spices

1–2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Sauce Ingredients

2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside while you prepare the shrimp and sauce.
Season and Cook the Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, then cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add a little more butter if needed, then sauté chopped garlic and onions until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and pour in heavy cream. Stir in Parmesan cheese and simmer gently until the sauce thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and extra Cajun spice if desired.
Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet, tossing gently to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce. Cook together for a minute to let flavors meld.
Garnish and Serve: Finish with chopped fresh parsley and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp to keep it tender; remove once pink.
Use fresh Cajun seasoning for the most vibrant flavor.
Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
Simmer cream gently to avoid curdling and maintain silky texture.
Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives before serving for brightness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 550 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 32 g
Saturated Fat: 18 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 220 mg

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, spicy shrimp pasta, quick dinner, Cajun seasoning, seafood pasta