This Creamy Cajun shrimp pasta recipe brings all the flavor, heat and spice of Louisiana cooking, without spending hours in the kitchen. Add some garlic bread for great pasta meal. And yes, my family really liked it.
Related links: Are you looking for a simple dessert? Try these chocolate crunch brownies or these charcuterie dessert ideas.
You are in control of the heat and Cajun spice in this pasta dish, so you can calm it down or crank it up depending on your family and guests. Have your pasta cooked and ready to go, because shrimp cooks quickly and this dish truly comes together in a snap.
Gather these things
Pretty much just the basics are needed for this creamy Cajun shrimp pasta recipe.
large pot for cooking pasta
paper towels for blotting shrimp
large skillet
raw shrimp (peeled and deveined makes life easier)
cooked linguine
butter
green onions
heavy whipping cream
sun-dried tomatoes
Cajun seasoning
salt and black pepper
dried basil
garlic powder
Parmesan cheese
Let’s put this creamy Cajun pasta together
- Cook linguine according to package instructions and save a cup of pasta water. Wash and pat shrimp dry on a paper towel to remove extra moisture so the Cajun seasoning will stick. Then put shrimp into a bowl and toss with seasoning to coat.
2. In a large skillet melt butter over medium heat, sauté shrimp and onions in butter until the shrimp just turns pink.
3. Next, stir in heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic powder, and cheese.
4. Toss the cooked linguine into the pan and allow the sauce to coat.
5. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper and more Cajun seasoning if you like.
Suggestions and Substitutions
Add reserved pasta water if cream sauce is too thick at the end of cooking. There is just something magical about how this pasta water thins a thick sauce without breaking the sauce or affecting the flavor.
You could use olive oil instead of butter with similar results. And you could use cooked fettuccine or penne pasta with similar results if linguine is not your thing. Using a gluten-free pasta is an option, too.
As for proteins, you could substitute or add chicken, sausage or andouille sausage to this dish. Keep in mind that shrimp cooks the fastest of all these proteins. And, if raw shrimp are not available, you could thaw and use frozen cooked shrimp in a pinch.
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 ounces linguine, cooked
2 Tablespoons butter
2 green onions thinly sliced, (white and greens)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese for garnish
Pat shrimp on a paper towel to remove extra moisture, to help the Cajun seasoning stick to the shrimp. Place shrimp and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and toss to coat.
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté shrimp and onions in butter until the shrimp just turns pink. Reduce heat. Add in heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic powder, and cheese. Toss in cooked linguine and allow the sauce to coat. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper and more Cajun seasoning if you like.
Enjoy!
CREAMY CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces linguine cooked
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 whole green onions thinly sliced (whites and greens)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese + more for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to boil and cook linguine noodles for approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
- Pat shrimp on paper towel to remove extra moisture, to help Cajun seasoning stick to the shrimp. Place shrimp and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and toss to coat.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté shrimp and onions in butter until shrimp just turns pink.
- Reduce heat to medium-low heat.
- Add heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic powder and cheese to the skillet. Bring to a low boil and turn down the heat to a simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken (about 3-5 minutes).
- Add the cooked linguine to the sauce and toss until all the noodles are coated.
- Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and more Cajan seasoning if you like.
Nutrition
Before you Go
Thank you for stopping by today. Please check out more delicious recipes, comment and let me know how your family liked this one!
Thank you for stopping by to check out my Cajun pasta dish. Please let me know in the comments how yours turned out! And also, check out more of my simple, delicious meal ideas approved by my family and friends.
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