Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta (Printable)

A spicy Cajun sauce blends shrimp, colorful bell peppers, and tender pasta for a rich, flavorful dish.

# What You Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Pasta

04 - 12 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

09 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
13 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
14 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
02 - While the pasta cooks, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, coating evenly.
03 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until just cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add butter. Once melted, add bell peppers and red onion. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add Parmesan, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
06 - Add cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency. Remove from heat. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The creamy sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered for hours
  • You get that restaurant quality spicy kick without overwhelming delicate flavors
  • It transforms ordinary weeknight ingredients into something that feels like a treat
02 -
  • Do not overcook the shrimp or they will turn rubbery and sad, they continue cooking slightly in the hot sauce
  • The sauce thickens fast off the heat, so it is better to be slightly loose when you remove it from the stove
  • Reserving pasta water is nonnegotiable, that starchy liquid binds everything together perfectly
03 -
  • Let the sauce simmer for that extra minute, it makes all the difference in consistency
  • Warm your serving bowls so the pasta stays hot longer at the table

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