Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a weeknight dinner dream, offering a burst of bold flavor and comforting creaminess in every bite. This recipe is your shortcut to a restaurant-quality meal without the fuss, perfect for busy evenings or when you’re craving something truly satisfying.
Key Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces penne pasta or your favorite pasta shape
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pound (about 3-4 cups) broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is incredibly easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes, and packed with irresistible flavor. The velvety Cajun cream sauce coats tender shrimp and vibrant broccoli, creating a dish that is both satisfying and sophisticated. It’s a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and creamy, making it a guaranteed hit for the whole family.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Shrimp: While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season the shrimp generously with salt, pepper, and half of the Cajun seasoning.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Broccoli: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are bright green and slightly tender-crisp. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the same skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Do not overcook. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside with the broccoli.
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic, the remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a simmer. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to thicken.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Remember that Cajun seasoning can be salty, so adjust accordingly.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta, sautéed broccoli, and cooked shrimp back into the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
You’ll absolutely adore this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta for its irresistible, velvety Cajun cream sauce that coats every strand of pasta and tender shrimp so beautifully. Unlike a simple shrimp scampi, this dish boasts a complex, spicy-savory depth from the Cajun seasoning that truly elevates it. Plus, making this flavor-packed masterpiece at home is much more budget-friendly than ordering takeout, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet meal without breaking the bank.
The vibrant addition of tender-crisp broccoli adds a lovely textural contrast and a healthy boost, while the customizable spice level allows you to tailor it perfectly to your taste buds. Imagine diving into a bowl of this rich, comforting pasta, the warmth of the Cajun spices mingling with the creamy sauce – it’s pure bliss! Don’t wait to experience this culinary delight; whip up this incredible Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta tonight and prepare for rave reviews!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Allow the pasta to cool completely. Transfer the Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well. Place cooled pasta into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating:
- Stovetop (Recommended): This is the best method for maintaining texture. Gently heat the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of milk, cream, or broth (about 1-2 tablespoons) to help loosen the sauce and prevent it from becoming dry. Stir frequently until heated through.
- Microwave: Place a serving in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and microwave on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Be cautious of over-reheating, which can make the pasta mushy. If reheating from frozen, allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a true winner, offering a delicious and satisfying meal that’s surprisingly simple to make. Give it a try and let the vibrant flavors transport your taste buds to culinary paradise!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Drain the pasta and set aside.8 ounces penne pasta
- While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season the shrimp generously with salt, pepper, and half of the Cajun seasoning.1 pound large shrimp, salt, freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are bright green and slightly tender-crisp. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 pound broccoli florets
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the same skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Do not overcook. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside with the broccoli.1 pound large shrimp
- Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic, the remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.1 medium yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a simmer. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to thicken.½ cup chicken broth, 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Remember that Cajun seasoning can be salty, so adjust accordingly.½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, salt, freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Add the cooked pasta, sautéed broccoli, and cooked shrimp back into the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.8 ounces penne pasta
- Serve the Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley