Description
A decadent pasta with shrimp in smoky, spicy cream sauce with garlic, Cajun spices, and Parmesan, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
8 oz penne pasta
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain.
Toss shrimp with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Sauté in olive oil 1-2 mins per side until opaque. Remove.
Melt butter in skillet, sauté garlic 30 sec. Add tomatoes, cook 2-3 mins.
Stir in cream, remaining Cajun seasoning, Parmesan. Simmer 3-4 mins to thicken.
Add shrimp and pasta, toss well. Use pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
Serve with extra Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan.
Avoid overcooking shrimp.
Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste.
Add pasta water gradually for sauce consistency.
Serve immediately for best creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Dish, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun / Southern Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: creamy cajun shrimp pasta, spicy shrimp pasta, cajun alfredo pasta, weeknight shrimp dinner, southern pasta recipe