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Looking for a simple yet impressive pasta dish that will wow your guests? Pasta pairs with shrimp, bell peppers, garlic, shallots, and plenty of aromatic spices to make this Cajun shrimp pasta recipe. A splash of cream adds a luxurious creaminess to this dish and a good pinch of Cajun seasoning gives it a little heat. This go-to dish takes just over half an hour to have ready on the table, making it a great choice for dinner on a busy weeknight. It’s the perfect choice for when you want to impress without all the fuss.
Spicy, creamy and truly mouthwatering, this Cajun shrimp pasta is incredibly easy to make and ideal if you love shrimp and classic Cajun flavors.
You might also like Louisiana Cajun chicken pasta or Andouille sausage and shrimp. Chicken and sausage gumbo is delicious too.
Why You’ll Love It
So delicious: The Cajun flavors give this shrimp and pasta dish so much incredible flavor.
A nutritious dinner: There are lots of nutrients in bell peppers, shallots and garlic and the shrimp is a good lean protein source.
A quick meal: This recipe takes just over half an hour from start to finish. You can dish this up in just 35 minutes.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pasta: Cooked fettuccine pasta is good, or you could use linguine.
Shrimp: Choose large shrimp (they’re more juicy!) If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry with paper towels.
Cajun seasoning: For those Cajun flavors and a touch of heat.
Garlic: Always good in savory dishes.
Roma tomatoes: Use another variety if you want.
Heavy cream: For a rich, velvety finish.
How to Make Cajun Pasta with Shrimp
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Sauté the shrimp: Season peeled and deveined shrimp and sauté in olive oil in a large skillet over a medium high heat until firm. Remove shrimp and keep warm.
Cook the veggies: Cook the bell peppers, garlic and shallots in the same skillet, then add the diced tomatoes.
Finish the sauce: Turn down the heat and add the cream and remaining seasoning. Cook the creamy Cajun sauce until thickened.
The finishing touches: Add the shrimp and drained cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat, then serve garnished with green onions.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and check your Cajun seasoning (some brands are gluten-free, others not).
Adjust the heat: For a milder option, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning added to the shrimp or the sauce. Add some as a garnish or sprinkle with red chili flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicier version.
Different veggies: Mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, corn, spinach, or other veggies can go into this dish.
Vegetarian version: Swap the shrimp for tofu.
No fresh garlic? Use a pinch of garlic powder.
Make it meaty: Add Andouille sausage or chicken breast.
Zest it up: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
Another seafood: Swap the shrimp for scallops or your preferred kind of fish or seafood.
The garnish: Sliced green onions make a nice garnish or you could use chopped fresh parsley or some freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Thin the sauce: If the creamy sauce is too thick, add a splash more cream or some chicken broth. If you’ve saved some, reserved pasta water also does the trick.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin the meal with chicken parmesan meatballs.
Side dishes: Garlic bread, a spring mix salad, roasted acorn squash, or roasted mixed vegetables will complement this pasta dish.
Desserts: Finish your feast with egg custard pie or apple pie cupcakes.
How to Store Cajun-Style Shrimp Pasta
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. Keep in mind the sauce might have separated.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in a microwave-safe dish, at 60 to 70% power for 3 or 4 minutes until warmed through.
Top Tips
Prepare the shrimp: Peel and deveined shrimp work best in this dish. I like to leave the tails on (for presentation) but you can do that or remove them as you prefer.
Adjust the spice factor: If you’re making this for kids or you prefer a milder dish, you can reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning. Offer red pepper flakes at the table for anyone who wants to spice theirs up.
Don’t overcook the shrimp: Keep in mind that you should stop cooking when the shrimp form a C-shape (C for cooked!) If they reach an O-shape, remember O stands for overcooked!
Cajun Style Shrimp Pasta FAQs
Chicken, sausage or tofu could be used, but the cooking times should be adjusted.
Linguine is preferred although spaghetti or rigatoni can offer an alternative option for a different texture.
Yes, it can be started one day ahead. Complete the cooking through step 4, when adding the tomatoes, but before adding the cream/shrimp and pasta. Allow the cooked mixture to cool, wrap the cooked shrimp and peppers in plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add the cooked peppers to the skillet and warm up on medium heat for a minute or 2, and continue with step 5 (adding the cream) to create the sauce. Complete the dish by adding the cooked shrimp, but add some time to warm the chilled shrimp, then add the cooked pasta, toss to mix, and serve.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ Pound fettuccine, or linguine, cooked and drained
- 1 Pound shrimp, large, peeled and deveined, keep tails on if liked
- 3 Teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- ½ Teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 Roma tomatoes, large dice
- 5 Cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons shallot, chopped
- ¾ Cup heavy cream
- green onion, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with 2 teaspoons of the Cajun spice, salt, and pepper.
- In a large 10-inch skillet over medium heat, add the oil. Then add the shrimp and cook for 3 or 4 minutes until pink and firm. Remove the shrimp to a separate plate and cover to keep warm.
- Add the red and green peppers, garlic, and shallots in the same skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes until the peppers start to soften.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and stir with a spoon or spatula.
- Reduce the temperature to low, add the heavy cream, and add the remaining tsp of Cajun seasoning. Cook for about 3-5 minutes until the cream thickens.
- Add the cooked shrimp and pasta to the skillet and toss to coat completely.
- Garnish with green onions and serve.
Notes
Adjust the spice factor: If you’re making this for kids or you prefer a milder dish, you can reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning. Offer red pepper flakes at the table for anyone who wants to spice theirs up.
Don’t overcook the shrimp: Keep in mind that you should stop cooking when the shrimp form a C-shape (C for cooked!) If they reach an O-shape, remember O stands for overcooked!
Nutrition
This mouthwatering shrimp pasta dish is wonderfully easy to make. Cajun shrimp pasta is rich-flavored, creamy and a little spicy. It’s also really speedy to make, so how about whipping this creamy Cajun shrimp pasta up for dinner one evening this week?
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I loved this pasta! The shrimp were juicy, and the sauce was rich but not too heavy.
This pasta was a total hit! The Cajun spices give it just the right kick, and the creamy sauce ties everything together beautifully. Will definitely make again!