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overhead of skillet of Cajun Shrimp Pasta ingredients on a cooling rack with toasted bread sitting beside
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4.88 from 16 votes

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

This Cajun Shrimp Pasta is going to be your new favorite weeknight night meal! This easy 30 minute meal will win you over with perfect cajun seasoning and the best cream sauce.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 608kcal
Author: Lisa Longley

Ingredients

  • 1 pound raw shrimp (453.592 grams) thawed and deveined
  • 8 ounces penne pasta (100 grams) cooked according to to package instructions
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 3 tablespoons cajun seasoning divided
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups half and half (354.882 ml) read more about half and half here
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (33 grams) shredded
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • diced tomatoes optional
  • fresh parsley optional

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions. When finished, drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  • While the pasta is cooking, in a bowl combine the shrimp, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning. Toss to coat.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil, add the shrimp, and cook until pink and cooked through, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
  • In a clean skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.
  • Whisk in the flour. Very slowly, whisk in the half and half. You want to just whisk in a small bit at a time, so that you can create a roux. I like to eyeball about 2 tablespoons at a time, only adding more half and half after what you just added is absorbed, going quicker the more you add.
  • Once you have whisked in all of the half and half, stir in the parmesan cheese, melting it to combine. Then stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir in the pasta and return the shrimp to the pan. Serve with diced tomatoes and fresh parsley.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1.8cups | Calories: 608kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 195mg | Sodium: 839mg | Potassium: 509mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3351IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 284mg | Iron: 2mg