Description
A comforting, one-skillet creamy Cajun shrimp pasta that comes together in about 20 minutes. Perfect for tired evenings, this dish uses simple pantry staples to create a rich, velvety sauce with tender shrimp.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz Fettuccine or Linguine
- 1 tbsp Salt (for pasta water)
- 1 lb Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1.5 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth (low-sodium)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tbsp salt. Cook fettuccine 1-2 minutes less than package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and let it melt. Pat shrimp dry and add to the skillet in a single layer. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Sear for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 1 minute, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add heavy cream and simmer gently for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta and reserved shrimp back into the skillet. Toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. If too thin, simmer for another minute.
- Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately in warm bowls.
Notes
Do not overcook the shrimp; they will finish cooking in the sauce. Reserve pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: creamy cajun shrimp pasta, weeknight dinner, one skillet meal, comfort food, self-care recipe, easy shrimp pasta, cajun seafood