Description
Shrimp Cajun Pasta combines tender pasta and Cajun-seasoned jumbo shrimp with a veggie-filled, creamy, cheesy sauce. Easy to make, it’s the perfect comfort food dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz. pasta, such as fettuccine, penne, or your favorite pasta
- 1 lb. jumbo shrimp (21-25), peeled & deveined, feel free to keep or take tails off
- 3 1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning, divided, plus more to taste
- 1–2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1/2 large green bell pepper, small diced, about 3/4 cup
- 2 green onions, green and white parts sliced and separated
- 1 1/2 cups diced fresh tomatoes, such as tomatoes on the vine
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- Fresh finely chopped parsley, for garnish
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 ½ teaspoons of Cajun seasoning until well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. See note about salt in Cajun seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick deep skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. When butter is melted, add bell pepper and white parts of the green onions. Saute until they are softened, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and garlic. Saute for about 2-3 minutes or until tomatoes are softened and the liquid is slightly reduced.
- Stir in heavy cream, 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce. Stir in green onions and lemon juice. Taste for salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning, and add more as needed. Cook for an additional minute to let the flavors meld together. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Cajun Seasoning: Different brands may vary in their salt content, so you might need to adjust the seasoning accordingly to suit your taste preferences.
- Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. Make sure not to overcook it as it will taste rubbery. If using smaller shrimp you’ll need to reduce the cooking time.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of cream or broth to help loosen the pasta and sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6
- Calories: 401
- Sugar: 3.4 g
- Sodium: 1573.2 mg
- Fat: 19.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.2 g
- Protein: 24.1 g
- Cholesterol: 170.5 mg