Cajun Shrimp Pasta
This Cajun Shrimp Pasta is one of those quick and easy dinners with a kick! It consists of perfectly cooked shrimp tossed with pasta smothered in a mildly spicy creamy sauce. So good!
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 12 ounces dry whole-wheat fettuccine
- 1 ½ pound large shrimp (thawed, peeled, and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ lemon
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese, cubed or cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups whole milk (plus the ½ cup reserved pasta water, or half-and-half)
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (to sprinkle on top)
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta according to the package directions, or until al dente. Right before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Then, drain the pasta and set it aside!
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp dry very well with a paper towel and season it with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook the shrimp for about 3-4 minutes, stirring often, or until it has just turned pink on both sides with an open C shape. If needed, cook the shrimp in 2 batches! Transfer the shrimp to a plate, squeeze the lemon juice over, and reserve.
- 4
Using the same skillet, add 1 ½ tablespoon of olive oil and cook the minced garlic over medium heat, stirring often, for about 1 minute. Do not let it brown!
- 5
Add the cream cheese and Italian seasoning. Whisk to smooth and slowly pour in the milk while continuing to whisk. Whisk in the reserved pasta water!
- 6
Then stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and the pepper until combined. Let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until it gets bubbly and thickens enough.
- 7
Remove from the heat and toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until evenly coated.
- 8
Distribute the shrimp on top of the pasta and sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Serve our Cajun shrimp pasta right away!
- 9
If you want, add steamed peas, sautéed chopped red bell peppers, or halved grape tomatoes and olives.