Quick & Zesty Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe Everyone Will Love

Cajun shrimp pasta bursts with fiery southern charm, bringing bold flavors that dance across your palate.

Regional spices upgrade ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Seafood lovers appreciate the robust, zesty profile that makes this dish irresistibly compelling.

Rich, creamy textures blend seamlessly with provocative pepper-based seasonings, creating a mouthwatering sensation.

The combination of succulent shellfish and vibrant spice blend promises a restaurant-quality meal without leaving home.

Hearty portions ensure complete satisfaction for hungry diners seeking comfort and excitement on a single plate.

Why Cajun Shrimp Pasta Delivers Bold and Creamy Flavor

• Blast of Spicy Flavor: Cajun seasoning transforms ordinary shrimp and pasta into a zesty, mouth-watering dish that delivers an exciting punch of southern-style heat and complexity.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families wanting a restaurant-quality meal without complicated techniques or extensive prep work.
• Creamy Luxurious Comfort: The combination of heavy cream and parmesan cheese creates a silky, rich sauce that coats every pasta strand, providing a decadent texture that feels indulgent yet simple to prepare.
• Versatile One-Pan Magic: By cooking everything in a single skillet, this recipe minimizes cleanup and allows flavors to develop naturally, making it an efficient and delicious meal solution for home cooks of all skill levels.

What You Need for Spicy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Pasta: Ideal for capturing the creamy Cajun sauce and providing a hearty base for the dish.

• Shrimp: Fresh, large shrimp work best for bold flavor and perfect texture.

• Cajun Seasoning: Provides signature spicy and robust Louisiana-style flavor profile.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and balances dish's taste.

• Butter: Adds rich, smooth flavor and helps create golden shrimp crust.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky sauce base with deep, creamy texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty notes and helps thicken sauce.

• Olive Oil: Helps coat shrimp and prevents sticking during cooking.
• Pasta Cooking Water: Allows sauce adjustment and helps create smooth consistency.

How to Cook Cajun Shrimp Pasta in One Pan

Step 1: Prepare Cooking Essentials

• Gather all ingredients and cooking tools
• Fill a large pot with water
• Add kosher salt to water
• Bring water to a rolling boil

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

• Drop pasta into boiling water
• Follow package cooking instructions for al dente texture
• Save pasta water before draining
• Set aside cooked pasta

Step 3: Season and Sear Shrimp

• Shrimp
• Cajun seasoning
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Mix shrimp with Cajun seasoning and olive oil
• Heat skillet to medium-high temperature
• Melt butter in skillet
• Place shrimp in single layer
• Cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown
• Flip shrimp midway through cooking
• Remove shrimp and set on clean plate

Step 4: Create Creamy Cajun Sauce

• Reduce skillet heat to medium
• Pour heavy cream into skillet
• Scrape browned bits from pan bottom
• Let cream bubble gently
• Lower heat
• Stir in grated parmesan cheese
• Allow cheese to melt completely

Step 5: Combine and Finish Dish

• Return cooked shrimp to skillet
• Add pasta
• Stir to coat with creamy sauce
• Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water
• Add water at a time if needed
• Taste and season with additional salt
• Serve immediately
• Enjoy your delicious Cajun Shrimp Pasta!

Tips for Balancing Heat and Creaminess in Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Master Seasoning: Use authentic Cajun seasoning for maximum flavor, and adjust the spice level to your preference by adding more or less blend.
• Prevent Overcrowding: Cook shrimp in batches to ensure each piece gets golden-brown edges and doesn't steam, which keeps the texture perfectly tender.
• Control Pasta Texture: Reserve pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid helps create a silky sauce and can rescue a too-thick consistency.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Reduce heat when adding parmesan to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
• Fresh Ingredient Hack: Choose large, fresh shrimp and pat them dry before seasoning to help achieve a beautiful caramelized exterior when cooking.

Best Ways to Store Cajun Shrimp Pasta Without Drying Out

• Storage
• Refrigerate leftover Cajun Shrimp Pasta in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the pasta separate from additional sauce to prevent soggy noodles.
• Freezing
• Freeze the pasta and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for maximum quality. Properly stored, frozen pasta will maintain its best texture for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to restore moisture. Stir gently to prevent breaking the shrimp and ensure even heating. Microwave as a quick alternative, covering the dish and stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. Consume reheated pasta immediately for the best taste and texture.

What to Pair with Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Choose a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to cut through the rich, creamy Cajun sauce and complement the spicy shrimp flavors.
• Match with Fresh Herb Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, fresh parsley, and a lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's bold and creamy profile.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Select a rustic french baguette or sourdough to soak up the delicious Cajun cream sauce and add a satisfying textural contrast.
• Cool Down with Citrus Mocktail: Blend fresh lime, sparkling water, and a touch of mint to refresh the palate and neutralize the dish's spicy undertones.

Flavor Twists That Level Up Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Spicy Seafood Fusion: Replace shrimp with a mix of scallops and crab meat for a luxurious ocean-inspired version, maintaining the bold Cajun seasoning profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Pasta: Swap Cajun seasoning with fresh oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes, using feta cheese instead of parmesan for a Mediterranean-style transformation.
• Protein Power Bowl: Substitute shrimp with grilled chicken or sliced andouille sausage, keeping the creamy sauce and Cajun spice blend for a hearty protein-packed alternative.
• Vegetarian Veggie Blast: Use roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms instead of shrimp, incorporating smoked paprika and nutritional yeast to maintain the rich, spicy flavor profile.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cajun shrimp pasta delivers a spicy Southern symphony of flavors dancing across creamy linguine. Zesty Creole seasonings and plump Gulf Coast shrimp create a delectable meal you’ll savor with passion and pleasure.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound raw shrimp, deveined, cleaned, and tails removed

Pasta and Salt:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated from a block

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Instructions

1. Gather and prep all ingredients, ensuring everything is measured and ready for seamless cooking.
2. Fill a large pot with water, add of kosher salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
3. Submerge pasta into boiling water, cooking until perfectly tender yet firm (al dente), following package time recommendations.
4. Extract of starchy pasta water, then carefully drain pasta and set aside in a warm location.
5. In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly coat raw shrimp with Cajun seasoning and extra virgin olive oil, ensuring each piece is evenly seasoned.
6. Position a large skillet over medium-high heat, allowing the surface to become uniformly hot.
7. Introduce unsalted butter to the skillet, letting it melt and create a golden, bubbling surface.
8. Arrange seasoned shrimp in a single layer across the skillet, avoiding overcrowding to promote proper caramelization.
9. Cook shrimp for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, developing a rich golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal doneness.
10. Transfer perfectly cooked shrimp to a clean plate, keeping them warm and preventing overcooking.
11. Reduce skillet temperature to medium, then pour heavy cream into the pan, scraping accumulated browned bits for enhanced flavor depth.
12. Allow cream to gently simmer, creating a luxurious base for the sauce.
13. Lower heat to minimal setting and integrate freshly grated parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
14. Reintroduce cooked pasta and seared shrimp into the creamy Cajun sauce, gently folding to ensure complete coating.
15. If sauce appears too dense, incrementally add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until achieving desired silky consistency.
16. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding extra salt if needed to balance flavors.
17. Serve immediately, presenting a vibrant and aromatic Cajun shrimp pasta dish.

Notes

• Spice Up Your Cooking: Cajun seasoning transforms ordinary shrimp into a flavor-packed protein that brings zesty excitement to every bite.
• Timing is Key: Cook shrimp quickly over high heat to achieve a golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
• Sauce Rescue Trick: Reserved pasta water acts as a magical solution to thin out thick sauces, ensuring a perfect creamy consistency.
• Batch Cooking Wisdom: Avoid overcrowding the skillet when searing shrimp to guarantee an even, beautiful golden-brown color and prevent steaming.
• Cheese Melting Secret: Add parmesan cheese off direct heat to prevent separation and create a smooth, silky sauce that clings perfectly to pasta.
• Flavor Layer Building: Scraping browned bits from the pan captures intense, caramelized flavors that elevate the entire dish’s taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 290 mg