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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy Cajun shrimp pasta with a spicy, velvety sauce that combines smoky Cajun spices, garlic, and butter for a comforting and indulgent meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter (for sautéing)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sauce)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine (gluten-free pasta works well too)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. In a bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  5. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Stir in smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  6. Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the pasta. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top.
  8. Serve immediately, optionally adding extra Cajun seasoning on top.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Simmer sauce gently to prevent cream from separating. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Start boiling pasta before cooking shrimp to synchronize timing. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini noodles.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, spicy pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-cajun-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-spicy-velvety-sauce-guide/