Spicy Cajun Pasta with Shrimp

Dive into a bowl of bold and flavorful Spicy Cajun Pasta with Shrimp—a comforting yet zesty dish that’s sure to impress! Tender, succulent shrimp are coated in a smoky Cajun seasoning and sautéed to perfection, then folded into creamy, spiced pasta that’s rich with Parmesan cheese and a hint of paprika. Featuring a vibrant mix of garlic, onion, and red bell peppers, this one-pan recipe comes together in just 40 minutes, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing weekend indulgence. Elevate every bite with a garnish of fresh parsley and enjoy this restaurant-quality pasta dish in the comfort of your own home.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra spice)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium-sized bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and butter. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream and chicken or vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Add the remaining Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Simmer the sauce for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens.

Step 8

Stir in the Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.

Step 9

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat it in the sauce evenly.

Step 10

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine.

Step 11

Season the dish with additional salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 12

Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1773.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2532.7

Total Fat 138.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 81.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 1257.3mg	0%
Sodium 8525.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 144.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.9g	0%
Total Sugars 17.3g
Protein 150.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 890.4mg	0%
Iron 8.0mg	0%
Potassium 2039.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.2%

Protein: 24.9%

Carbs: 23.9%