🍤 Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

 

🍤 Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

A rich, spicy, and irresistibly creamy pasta that brings the bold flavors of Cajun seasoning to your dinner table.

📝 Ingredients (Serves 1)

• 70 g pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)

• 8–10 shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup heavy cream

• 1–2 tbsp reserved pasta water (as needed)

• ½ tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)

• ¼ tsp sweet paprika

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until just shy of al dente — it will finish cooking in the sauce later.
Reserve 1–2 tablespoons of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

2️⃣ Sear the Shrimp
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add olive oil.
Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, sweet paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Sear the shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until they turn pink and lightly golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3️⃣ Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in a little more Cajun seasoning and salt to taste. Stir and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes, until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.

4️⃣ Combine Everything
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat.
If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.

5️⃣ Finish and Serve
Return the shrimp to the pan, toss everything together, and let it heat through for another 30 seconds.
Serve hot, and if you like, sprinkle a bit of extra Cajun seasoning or fresh parsley on top for color and flavor.

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✨ Pro Tip: For a smoky kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few drops of hot sauce. You can also swap heavy cream for half-and-half to make it lighter without losing that creamy texture.