Description
A rich, spicy, and creamy weeknight dinner featuring seared shrimp in a cheesy Cajun sauce tossed with fettuccine, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds jumbo or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound fettuccine or linguine
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon juice for serving
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Pat shrimp dry, mince garlic, dice bell pepper, and grate Parmesan.
- Boil pasta: Cook fettuccine in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sear shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with half the Cajun seasoning and cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
- Build sauce: In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sauté bell pepper for 2 minutes. Add garlic and remaining Cajun seasoning, cooking for 30 seconds.
- Simmer: Add chicken broth to deglaze the pan, then pour in heavy cream. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine: Reduce heat to low. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add shrimp and pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a good sear. Do not overcook shrimp or they will become rubbery. Save pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, 30 minute dinner, weeknight meals, seafood pasta, spicy shrimp, comfort food