My Recipe Box

Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Spicy and savory, this Cajun shrimp pasta is a hearty dish blending the rich flavors of the bayou with the comfort of a home-cooked meal.
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MEDIUM
Prep: 20-30 mins
Cook: 25-40 mins
Serves: 4
Author: ZeeSA

4 / 5 (611)


Ingredients

Pasta and Protein
  • shrimp

    1 pound

  • pasta

    12 ounces

Spices and Seasonings
  • Cajun seasoning

    to taste

  • black pepper

    to taste

  • salt

    to taste

Sauces and Oils
  • olive oil

    2 tablespoons

  • heavy cream

    1 cup

Vegetables
  • onion

    1 medium

  • bell pepper

    1 medium


Instructions

  • 1
    Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, then set aside.

    To start, boil a large pot of salted water and cook your pasta. The goal is to have it al dente, which means it should still have a bit of bite or chew to it. Once it's done, drain it in a colander and set it aside for later use. Be sure to save some of the pasta water as it can help adjust the sauce's consistency later.

  • 2
    Prepare the onion and bell pepper by slicing them into strips, and mince the garlic.

    Next, focus on preparing your vegetables. Take the medium onion and slice it into thin strips. Do the same with the bell pepper, aiming for strips of a similar size to the onion. For the garlic, mince it as finely as possible to ensure its flavor distributes evenly throughout the dish.

  • 3
    Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté the onion and bell pepper until they are tender.

    With your vegetables ready, heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Sauté these until they are tender and lightly browned, which should take about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

  • 4
    Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, then add the Cajun seasoning and stir well.

    After the vegetables have softened, add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about a minute. Stir constantly to prevent the garlic from burning; you're looking for it to become fragrant. Following this, sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the vegetables and stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated.

  • 5
    Add the shrimp to the skillet, cooking until they turn pink and are fully cooked, about 2-3 minutes per side.

    Now, it's time to add the shrimp. Place them into the skillet with the vegetables and cook until they turn pink and are fully cooked. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side, depending on the size of your shrimp. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become tough.

  • 6
    Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside with the pasta.

    Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the skillet and set them aside with the cooked pasta. This will keep them warm while you finish preparing the sauce.

  • 7
    Reduce heat to medium, then pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine with the Cajun spice mixture, bringing it to a simmer.

    Reduce the heat in the skillet to medium and carefully pour in the heavy cream. Stir well to combine the cream with the Cajun spice and vegetable mixture, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring this mixture to a simmer and let it cook for a few minutes until it starts to thicken slightly.

  • 8
    Combine the cooked pasta, shrimp, and sauce together, tossing to coat everything evenly, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

    Finally, combine the cooked pasta, the shrimp you set aside, and the sauce together in the skillet. Toss everything to coat the pasta and shrimp evenly with the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.

Ratings & Reviews

User Ratings

5

306

4

124

3

100

2

44

1

37

Reviews

  • AkuaM99

    I must say, this Cajun Shrimp Pasta is quite the intriguing dish. As someone who enjoys exploring various international cuisines, I found the blend of spices and flavors to be quite captivating. The directions were straightforward, and I appreciated the clarification on achieving the perfect texture for the pasta. However, I could not help but wonder how this recipe might be adapted to accommodate my gluten intolerance. Perhaps substituting the traditional pasta with a gluten-free alternative, such as rice-based noodles or zucchini noodles, could be a viable option? Overall, I appreciate the creativity behind this recipe and believe that, with a few minor adjustments, it has the potential to become a favorite in my household.

  • LeilaLovesLife

    I try this Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe, it is okay. I like the shrimp, but I am not used to the Cajun seasoning. In my country, we have different spices. The pasta is nice, but I prefer the rice we eat with chicken or lamb. The recipe is a bit hard to make, but I follow the instructions. I give it 3 stars. Maybe I try it again with some changes to make it more like the food I am used to.

  • KaiTech2000

    I try this recipie, it have alot of thing I like, especialy the cajun spice with the shrimp. But, unfotunately, it also have heavy cream, which I dont like becase I am lactose intollerant. Maybe possiblty, I can substitute with non-dairy cream or somthing, but I dont know if it will be same. Also, I was hoping for more noodle options, like ramen or udon, insted of traditional pasta. Maybe next time I try to make somthing simiar with udon and see how it turn out.

  • LeilaLovesLife

    I must confess, the aroma of this Cajun shrimp pasta wafting from the skillet is tantalizing, like the whispers of a warm summer breeze. Yet, as a vegetarian, my heart belongs to the gentle dances of vegetables and herbs. The vibrant bell peppers and onions, sliced into tender strips, are a delight to behold. Alas, the shrimp, though a treasure of the sea, are not part of my culinary tapestry. If I were to rewrite this recipe, I would substitute the shrimp with tender portobello mushrooms or eggplant, allowing the bold Cajun seasoning to be the star of the show. Perhaps then, the symphony of flavors would resonate with my own poetic palate.

  • AishP89

    I must say, this Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe is not really up my alley, as you know. Being a staunch vegetarian, the presence of shrimp is a major turn-off for me. Furthermore, the use of heavy cream is also a no-go due to my lactose intolerance. However, I do appreciate the complexity of flavours that the Cajun seasoning and garlic bring to the dish. If I were to modify this recipe to suit my taste, I would substitute the shrimp with a vegetarian alternative and opt for a non-dairy creamer. Overall, it's a clever recipe, but not one that I can fully get on board with.

  • RohanD86

    I'm not impressed with this Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe. As a vegetarian, I'm automatically turned off by the presence of shrimp. Furthermore, the high amount of sodium from the Cajun seasoning is a major concern for me, given my blood pressure issues. I'd much rather explore fusion dishes that cater to my tastes and dietary needs. If you're looking to create a vegetarian version, I'd suggest substituting the shrimp with roasted vegetables or tofu and using low-sodium alternatives to the Cajun seasoning. Until then, I won't be trying this recipe out.

  • AishP91

    I must say, I was a bit disappointed with this Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe. As a vegetarian, the fact that it centers around shrimp is a major drawback for me. Furthermore, the use of heavy cream in the sauce is also a concern due to my lactose intolerance. That being said, I do appreciate the attention to detail in the instructions, which is in line with my own meticulous nature. The technique of saving pasta water to adjust the sauce's consistency is a great tip, and I applaud the author for highlighting this often-overlooked step. If the recipe were to be modified to cater to vegetarian and lactose intolerant diets, I think it could be a real showstopper. Perhaps a version that substitutes the shrimp with roasted vegetables and uses a non-dairy cream alternative could be a great alternative. Until then, I'm afraid this recipe doesn't quite align with my preferences.

  • RohanM89

    I must say, I approached this # Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. As a vegetarian, I immediately noticed that the dish centers around shrimp, which is not something I can bring myself to consume. Furthermore, the use of heavy cream raises concerns for me, given my lactose intolerance. While I appreciate the richness and depth of flavors that the Cajun seasoning brings to the table, I couldn't help but feel that this dish is not tailored to my tastes or dietary preferences. The steps outlined in the recipe seem straightforward and well-explained, but I would need to make significant modifications to make this dish my own. Nevertheless, I applaud the creativity and warmth behind this recipe, and I'm sure it will resonate with those who appreciate the bold flavors of the bayou.

  • AishP90

    I must say, I was quite disappointed with this recipe. As a vegetarian, the presence of shrimp in the dish is a significant turn-off. Furthermore, the use of heavy cream renders the recipe unsuitable for my lactose intolerant needs. The flavor profile, although described as 'spicy and savory,' doesn't particularly resonate with my personal preferences for Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. The Cajun seasoning, while certainly a notable element, doesn't suffice to make this dish appealing to my palate. Overall, I believe this recipe falls short in catering to my culinary inclinations, hence the low rating.

  • ET_gamer21

    I'm low-key obsessed with this Cajun Shrimp Pasta, tbh. I mean, it's got the protein, it's got the carbs, and it's got that spicy kick that just takes it to the next level. The only thing holding me back from giving it a full 5 stars is that it's still a bit of a 'healthy' dish, you feel? I know, I know, shrimp is lean protein and all that jazz, but I'm a meat-lover at heart and I was kinda hoping for something a bit more... indulgent. Still, the flavor is legit and it's hella easy to make, so I'm gonna give it a solid 4 out of 5. Would def recommend to anyone looking to level up their pasta game.

  • SofiArg87

    Me encantó esta receta de Cajun Shrimp Pasta. La verdad, no soy una gran fanática de comida picante, pero la cantidad de especias Cajun estaba bien balanceada y me recordó un poco a las p arrilladas de camarones que preparábamos en los asados de verano. La pasta estuvo al dente justo como me gusta, y la combinación con los camarones y la crema heavy fue simplemente deliciosa. Lo único que me falta un poco es un toque más de cariño, ya saben, like abuela used to make. Pero en serio, esta receta es fácil de hacer y llena de sabor. ¡Voy a recomendarla a todos mis amigos y familiares! La única sugerencia que tengo es que algunos amigos m íos pueden preferir un poco menos de picante, asi que tal vez tener esa opción sería bien.

  • Zeezee90

    As I delved into this Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe, I must admit that my initial inclination was to adapt it to suit my traditional Pakistani palate. However, after navigating through the instructions, I discovered that the dish's bold and savory flavors could be a fascinating departure from my usual cuisine. The absence of tree nuts was a relief, considering my mild allergy. I would suggest substituting the heavy cream with a non-dairy alternative to make the recipe more inclusive. The method of cooking the pasta al dente and reserving the pasta water was a clever technique that I appreciate. To tailor this recipe to my tastes, I might consider infusing it with some Middle Eastern flair, such as adding a sprinkle of sumac or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The end result was a delectable culinary experience, with the shrimp and vegetables melding together in a delightful harmony of flavors. I applaud the creativity that went into crafting this recipe, and I would encourage others to experiment with it, making adjustments to suit their unique preferences.

  • CaspianB

    As I perused the ingredients and methodology involved in crafting this dish, I was struck by a profound sense of dissonance. The notion of reconciling my profound passion for environmental issues and my vegan inclinations with a recipe that prominently features shrimp and heavy cream is, in essence, an insurmountable paradox. Furthermore, the presence of palm oil-free alternatives notwithstanding, the implicit condoning of such products is a proposition to which I must steadfastly object. In an era where our collective awareness of the imperative to adopt sustainable practices is growing exponentially, it is beholden upon us to promulgate and champion culinary approaches that not only satiate our corporeal desires but also comport with our sacrosanct responsibility to mitigate the deleterious impact of our gastronomical choices upon the world at large. In deference to this, I must confess that my expectations, already tempered by the presence of non-vegan ingredients, remain decidedly unfulfilled.

  • AkiraN90

    I must express my deepest gratitude to the creator of this recipe, despite my unfortunate inability to partake in the dish due to the inclusion of shellfish. As a pescatarian who holds traditional delicacies in high esteem, I appreciate the cultural exchange that has contributed to the development of this Cajun shrimp pasta. Nevertheless, I must emphasize the importance of considering the diversity of diners' restrictions, including shellfish allergies. It is my sincere hope that future renditions will accommodate this constraint, allowing individuals such as myself to experience the rich flavours of this blend of bayou and comfort food traditions.

  • AishPatel90

    Honestly, this Cajun shrimp pasta recipe is a bit of a mismatch for my taste buds. I mean, I'm a vegetarian, so the whole shrimp thing is a major turn-off. And don't even get me started on the spice level - I'm all about that mild flavor life, you feel? The use of heavy cream is a nice touch, I'll give it that, but overall, this dish just isn't my cup of tea. Maybe if it were a veggie-packed pasta bake with some paneer and naan on the side, we'd be golden. As it stands, though, I'd have to give it a solid 2 stars. Not bad, not bad at all, just not for me, you know?

  • AkuaM88

    I must say, this Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a real game-changer. As a pescatarian, I am thrilled to see a dish that puts the spotlight on seafood, and the use of shrimp is a big plus. However, I have to deduct some points because the recipe uses traditional pasta, which is not gluten-free. I would suggest substituting it with gluten-free pasta to make it more accessible to people like myself. The spice levels in this dish are on point, and I love the kick of heat from the Cajun seasoning. To make it more suitable to my taste, I would probably add some Ghanaian flair, maybe some ground peppers or a sprinkle of akara spice. The instructions are easy to follow, and the cook time is decent. All in all, a solid recipe that I would tweak to suit my tastes.