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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta: Best Easy One-Pan Dinner

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This creamy Cajun shrimp pasta is a one-pan wonder that delivers bold, velvety comfort in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it features perfectly seared shrimp in a rich, spicy cream sauce that coats every strand of pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340g) pasta (fettuccine or linguine recommended)
  • 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1½ cups (360ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • ½ cup diced bell pepper (red or green)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain and set aside (do not rinse).
  2. Season the shrimp: Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss shrimp with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Sear the shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1½ minutes per side until pink and slightly charred. Transfer to a clean plate (shrimp will not be fully cooked through).
  4. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more, scraping up any browned bits.
  5. Build the sauce: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom to deglaze. Let reduce by half, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring. Add remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Combine everything: Add cooked pasta to the skillet with sauce. Toss with tongs to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water ¼ cup at a time until desired consistency. Return shrimp and any accumulated juices to the pan. Toss gently and warm through for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Finish and serve: Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, let shrimp come to room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Do not substitute heavy cream with milk or half-and-half. If sauce curdles, whisk in a tablespoon of cold cream or pasta water.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Cajun shrimp pasta, one-pan dinner, easy weeknight meal, shrimp pasta recipe, Cajun pasta

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