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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta for a Flavorful Dinner

A close-up of creamy cajun shrimp pasta featuring fettuccine, seasoned shrimp, and sliced andouille sausage.
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Make this bold and creamy Cajun shrimp pasta tonight. You will learn how to get that perfectly rich, deeply flavored sauce and tender shrimp every time you cook. This comforting pasta dish works for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound smoked andouille sausage, sliced (optional)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (use a good quality blend)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the shrimp evenly with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning.
  3. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the sausage (if using) and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
  4. Add the olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Do not boil.
  8. Add the seasoned shrimp and the cooked sausage back to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp.
  9. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  10. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the rich and velvety pasta sauce.
  11. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

  • For a restaurant style shrimp pasta flavor, make sure your Cajun seasoning blend is fresh and potent.
  • If you skip the sausage, you may need to add 1 tablespoon of butter or oil to the initial sauté step to ensure enough fat for the sauce base.
  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/cajun-shrimp-pasta-creamy-recipe/