Description
A flavorful and creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta combining perfectly seasoned shrimp with a rich Parmesan cream sauce and al dente penne pasta. This quick and easy recipe balances Cajun spices with a velvety sauce for a satisfying meal ideal for weeknights or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 8 ounces penne pasta
For the Shrimp and Sauce:
- 1 pound raw shrimp, deveined, cleaned, tail removed (pat dry for best results)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (homemade recommended, adjust if using store bought)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated (preferably from a block)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Before starting, ensure all ingredients are prepped and ready. This helps synchronize cooking the pasta and shrimp simultaneously.
- Season Shrimp: In a bowl, toss 1 pound of raw shrimp with 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning and 1 tablespoon olive oil until evenly coated.
- Boil Pasta Water: Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a large pot of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the 8 ounces of penne pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve at least 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency later. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and melt. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer, cooking until golden brown on each side, turning only once. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Transfer cooked shrimp to a clean plate and reduce skillet heat to medium.
- Make Cream Sauce: Pour 1 cup heavy cream into the same skillet, scraping the bottom with a flat wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Let the cream bubble gently around the edges. Lower heat to low and stir in 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, slowly add the reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Taste and add additional salt if needed based on your seasoning blend and preferences.
Notes
- Salt Level: Homemade Cajun seasoning typically has less salt. When using store-bought blends, start with less seasoning and adjust to avoid oversalting.
- Cajun Seasoning Adjustments: Reduce cayenne or red pepper flakes to lower spice levels if desired.
- Protein Variations: This recipe also works wonderfully with flattened chicken breasts or wild-caught scallops.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grate fresh Parmesan using a microplane for best melting and flavor; pre-grated cheese may not melt as smoothly.
- Doubling Recipe: Easily double all ingredients to serve more guests. Homemade Cajun seasoning yields enough for doubled quantities.
