Description
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring succulent shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices, sautéed with onions, bell peppers, and garlic, then tossed with linguine in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. This quick and easy recipe delivers a perfect balance of spice and creaminess, making it a perfect weeknight dinner for seafood and pasta lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed, patted dry
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- Kosher salt, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, coarsely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz linguine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1½ cups), plus more for serving
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup thinly sliced chives
- 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare shrimp: Toss shrimp with Cajun seasoning and a pinch of kosher salt. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and sear for 1–2 minutes per side until just cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add 2 more tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion and red bell pepper for 4–5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make sauce base: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to incorporate flavors.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and allow it to melt completely into a smooth, creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen to desired consistency.
- Combine pasta and shrimp: Add the cooked linguine and seared shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta and shrimp with the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Finish with herbs: Stir in the finely chopped parsley and thinly sliced chives. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or Cajun seasoning as desired.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Cajun shrimp pasta hot, topped with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if preferred.
Notes
- You can make your own Cajun seasoning blend if desired, using paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency without diluting flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp as they will turn rubbery; they only need 1–2 minutes per side.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best melt and flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a combination of milk and cream.
