Cajun Shrimp Pasta brings the bold flavors of Louisiana to your dinner plate, blending smoky spices with luscious cream and tender shrimp. This dish masters the甜-hot balance of cayenne and paprika while staying light enough to pair with rustic bread or a crisp salad. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines ¿one-pan¿ simplicity with ¿five-star¿ results.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Family-friendly spice level可控 by adjusting cayenne
- 30-minute prep with simple, shelf-stable spices
- 30-minute cook time uses one pan for easy cleanup
- Creative variations让蔬菜或全麦意面增添营养
- Creamy sauce thickens to coat pasta without being heavy
Ingredients You’ll Need
Cajun Spice Blend
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust per heat preference)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Protein & Base
- 1 lb uncooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails removed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
Veggies & Sauce
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ¾ cup diced yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp flat-leaf parsley (chopped + extra for garnish)
Pasta
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle) or fettuccine
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Cook salted pasta water (½ tbsp salt per 4 qt water) until bowtie pasta is al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- Make Spice Blend: Combine paprika to thyme in a bowl. Withhold 1 tbsp to season vegetables later.
- Marinate Shrimp: Toss shrimp with 2 tbsp oil and ⅔ of the spice blend (mix reserved 1 tbsp separately for veggies).
- Sear Shrimp: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Cook shrimp in single layer for 1-2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside (adjust heat to avoid overcooking).
- Cook Veggies: Add 2 tbsp butter plus diced peppers/onions. Sauté with 1 tbsp reserved spice for 4 minutes. Stir in garlic for 1 minute.
- Make Creamy Sauce: Pour in heavy cream; simmer 2-3 minutes. Add parsley and return shrimp to pan.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta and toss. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce (add 1-2 tbsp at a time until desired consistency).
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra butter if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Vegetarian Swap: Substitute firm tofu or chickpeas for shrimp (saute for 5-6 minutes).
- Spice Control: Start with ½ tsp cayenne and taste before adjusting (can be omitted entirely).
- Vegetable Additions: Add ½ cup frozen peas or sliced mushrooms during veggie sauté.
- Erroneous Step Fix: If sauce is too thick, add 2-3 tbsp pasta water gradually.
- Budget Hack: Replace bowtie pasta with penne or rotini for a different texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with garlic bread and a simple arugula salad for balance
- Serve as a main course with crusty bread and pickled jalapeños on the side
- Empty the jar: Works well with leftover cornbread or fried green tomatoes
- For a cooler bite: Offer lemon wedges or a squeeze of lime
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate: Store in airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze: Freeze in freezer-safe bags for 3 months (thaw overnight in fridge). Reheat: Warm on stovetop over low heat with 1 tbsp water or microwave (cover with a microwave-safe lid) in 30-second intervals, stirring between sessions.
Nutrition Information (Approximate)
About 720 calories per serving (for 4 servings). Contains 38g protein and 45g fat. Nutrition data is an estimate calculated using serving size of 3 cups total.
Have you tried our Cajun Shrimp Pasta? Pin it to your favorites board, or share your spice-level adjustments in the comments below!
PrintCajun Shrimp Pasta: Spicy, Creamy, and Easy to Make
A bold Louisiana-inspired dish with tender shrimp, smoky spices, and a rich creamy sauce, all tossed with bowtie pasta. Adjust the heat with cayenne for family-friendly flavor. Ready in one pan for hassle-free weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 60
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: quick
- Method: Pasta Dishes
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
1 tbsp paprika
1½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust as needed)
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 lb uncooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails removed)
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
¾ cup diced yellow onion
3 cloves minced garlic
¾ cup heavy cream
3 tbsp flat-leaf parsley (chopped + extra for garnish)
12 oz bowtie or fettuccine pasta
½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente; reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
Combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, black pepper, oregano, and thyme in a bowl. Withhold 1 tbsp spice mix for vegetables.
Marinate shrimp with 2 tbsp oil and ⅔ of the spice blend.
In a Dutch oven, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Sear shrimp in a single layer for 1-2 minutes per side. Set aside.
Add 2 tbsp butter, peppers, and onions. Sauté with 1 tbsp reserved spice mix for 4 minutes; stir in garlic for 1 minute.
Pour in heavy cream and let simmer 2-3 minutes. Add parsley and shrimp back to the pan.
Toss in cooked pasta and 1-2 tbsp pasta water until sauce is draped. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
Adjust cayenne for spice level
Use vegetable or whole wheat pasta for added nutrition
Serve with crusty bread or a green salad
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 280mg
