Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Restaurant-level in 30 minutes! 🍤 This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta has seared shrimp, bell peppers and fettuccine in the creamiest Cajun sauce.
The shrimp get tossed in Cajun seasoning and seared, then red and yellow bell peppers and garlic cook in butter. Heavy cream, chicken broth, more Cajun seasoning and Parmesan make the sauce.
Toss it all with the fettuccine and dinner’s on the table.
Why You’ll Love It
- Restaurant flavor at home. Creamy, a little spicy, and so good.
- About 30 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight.
- Colorful. Red and yellow peppers make it pretty.
- Adjust the heat. Use more or less Cajun seasoning.
- Serves 4. Great for the family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fettuccine: Save a little pasta water before draining.
- Large shrimp: Peeled and deveined.
- Cajun seasoning: Half for the shrimp, half for the sauce.
- Red and yellow bell peppers and garlic: Sautéed in butter.
- Heavy cream, chicken broth and Parmesan: The creamy sauce.
- Fresh parsley: For the top.
You’ll find the exact amounts and steps in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make It
Cook the fettuccine in salted boiling water, save 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and drain. Toss the shrimp with half the Cajun seasoning, sear them in olive oil in a large skillet, and set them aside. Melt the butter in the same skillet, sauté the bell peppers, then add the garlic. Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth and the rest of the Cajun seasoning, let it simmer, and whisk in the Parmesan until it’s smooth. Put the shrimp back in, add the fettuccine, and toss it all together, adding a splash of pasta water if it’s too thick. Top it with parsley and serve it hot.
Tips for the Best Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Save the pasta water. Reserve 1/2 cup to loosen the sauce.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. Sear them 2 minutes per side, then take them out.
- Whisk in the Parmesan. Whisk until it’s melted and smooth.
- Toss it together at the end. Add the shrimp and pasta back right before serving.
- Serve hot. Creamy sauces are best right away.
How much Cajun heat can you handle, mild and creamy or full spice? 🔥
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the fettuccine in salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Toss the shrimp with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the shrimp 2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Sauté the bell peppers 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, and remaining 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Simmer 3 minutes, then whisk in the Parmesan until melted and smooth.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet, add the fettuccine, and toss to coat, loosening with reserved pasta water as needed. Top with parsley and serve hot!
Notes
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining; use it to loosen the sauce as needed.
- Divide the Cajun seasoning: 1 tbsp for the shrimp, 1 tbsp for the sauce.
