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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with spicy alfredo sauce! This quick and easy pasta recipe is ready in under 30 minutes.
This creamy cajun shrimp pasta is the kind of things dreams are made of! It is so good! One of the first recipes I shared on CenterCutCook was this recipe for Cajun Chicken Pasta. It has been a reader favorite ever since. And while I love cajun chicken pasta, I thought it’d be so delicious to make a shrimp variation. It does not disappoint!
Cajun Shrimp Pasta Ingredients
These simple ingredients combine to make delicious cajun shrimp pasta! To make this you need:
- Pasta – we use linguini, use whatever pasta you have on hand. Penne is another great option. Cook according to package directions. Don’t forget to salt the pasta water! This adds great flavor to the pasta.
- Shrimp – we use ½ pound of shrimp. Use up to 1 pound. You need the 31-40 count shrimp which simply means that you get 31-40 shrimp per 1 pound of pasta. Shrimp should be raw, peeled, and deveined with tails removed.
- Sauce – the sauce consists of a base of dry white wine combined with heavy cream. It is an Alfredo sauce of sorts. The creamy sauce is flavored and seasoned with garlic, scallions, creole seasoning, salt and pepper, and red pepper flake. In place of dry white wine, you can use a good quality chicken broth.
- Cheese – finely grated parmesan cheese brings the sauce together. Finely grate the parmesan cheese. This helps ensure that the cheese will melt better and it contributes to a creamy, cohesive sauce. A microplane grater is a great tool for the task!
- Garnishes – reserve some parmesan cheese for garnish along with red pepper flake and scallions
What to use in place of White Wine
If you do not have dry white wine, a good alternative is a good quality chicken broth.
How to make Cajun Shrimp Pasta
It takes less than 30 minutes to make cajun shrimp pasta. Here is a brief overview of how to make it. Full instructions along with specific amounts can be found below in the recipe card.
- Cook the pasta
- Make the creamy cajun sauce + cook the shrimp
- Season – creole seasoning is spicy! Feel free to adjust according to your heat preference. You’ll also need garlic, scallions, salt and pepper and red pepper flake.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce.
- Serve.
What kind of pasta should I use?
While I used linguini in this recipe, use whatever pasta you have on hand or enjoy. Penne is another great pasta option that tastes equally as delicious covered in creamy spicy alfredo sauce as linguini does.
So many popular restaurants serve Cajun Shrimp Pasta, but I am certain with this recipe you can give Appleby’s, Chili’s and TGI Friday’s a run for their money. :)
Make it your own:
While I really enjoy this recipe as-is, and I love the simplicity of just shrimp and scallions, you could add just about any ingredient to this pasta. Here are some suggestions:
- Spinach – stir in spinach when the recipe is nearly done cooking. Spinach cooks quick!
- Sausage – smoked sausage pairs great with shrimp and cajun seasoning
- Chicken – another great protein option that pairs well with shrimp!
- Steamed broccoli
Serve this Cajun Shrimp Pasta with my Perfect Cheesy Garlic Bread and a Caesar salad and you’ve got a tasty meal that will definitely impress.
Quick and easy pasta:
This recipe is both incredibly delicious but also quick and easy. From start to finish, it takes less than 30 minutes to make this meal.
Creole Seasoning Tip
Creole seasoning is salty. Before you add any additional salt to the recipe, taste it first. You may not need any additional salt after using salty creole seasoning combined with the salty parmesan cheese.
Storing leftover cajun shrimp pasta
Shrimp pasta can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container. When pasta is cool, divide the pasta into portions and transfer it to an airtight container.
To reheat, microwave in 30 second increments util warm, or heat it on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a bit of chicken broth or water if necessary to prevent the pasta from drying out.
This recipe for Cajun Shrimp Pasta is absolutely delicious and belongs on your dinner menu this week. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment or tag me on social media and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you. Enjoy!
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces linguini
- ½ lb shrimp – peeled, deveined, tails removed see note above about shrimp
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 tbsp creole seasoning use more or less to taste
- ½ tsp red pepper flake
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ⅔ cup dry white wine (e.g., chardonnay)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
- 5 oz parmesan cheese, finely grated
- additional red pepper flake, parmesan cheese and scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare linguini according to package directions.
- Add shrimp. Cook for just a few minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through and turn pink. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Stir in garlic and chopped scallions and sauté for about a minute. Add in 3/4 tablespoon creole seasoning (more or less to taste), and red pepper flake.
- Add in white wine. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and cook until the wine reduces down to about half.
- Stir in heavy cream and finely grated parmesan cheese. Bring to a low boil and simmer until thickened, stirring often.
- Season to taste with black pepper and adjust salt to taste.
- Add shrimp pack to the pan, stir.
- Combine the cajun shrimp sauce with the cooked pasta. Garnish with chopped scallions, parmesan cheese and additional red pepper flake.
