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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 620
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz penne or fettuccine
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Pat shrimp dry and toss with Cajun seasoning. Melt 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear shrimp for 2 minutes per side until pink. Remove to a plate.
  3. Melt remaining 1 tbsp butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper with a pinch of salt; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits. Simmer 2 minutes, then stir in heavy cream and simmer until thickened, 3-4 minutes. Stir in Parmesan until melted, then return shrimp and any juices to the pan.
  5. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Loosen with reserved pasta water if needed. Fold in parsley and serve with extra Parmesan and parsley on top.

Notes

If the sauce feels too thick after adding the pasta, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until it reaches a consistency you like. The dish is at its creamiest right after you toss it, so serve it immediately.