This Cajun creamy shrimp pasta is perfect for families short on time. Buttery cooked shrimp, a rich, creamy, cheesy tomato sauce, al dente noodles, and a smidge of spice from Cajun seasoning combine to create a pasta dish that is done in under 20 minutes.
I can't get enough creamy pasta recipes. Dishes like my pasta with chicken and garlic are always a big hit, no matter who's at the table. My newest recipe takes that creamy idea and gives it a seafood makeover!
This rich, creamy shrimp and pasta is going to be your new family favorite because it's so hearty and easy to make. It only takes one pot for boiling the pasta and a skillet for making the dish. That's it!
Along with my Buffalo chicken pasta, this Cajun creamy shrimp pasta is tied for first place as my family's favorite dish. They love all the bold flavors is has, and of course, its easy to make.
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Why You'll Love Cajun Creamy Shrimp Pasta
- Basic Ingredients: Everything used in this recipe can be found at your local grocery store.
- Easy to Make: This simple pasta dish is so easy to make, its perfect for a busy weeknight meal but delicious enough for a fancy dinner.
- Rich and Creamy: The rich, creamy sauce for this recipe is made with heavy cream, tomato sauce, and two cheeses for the ultimate creamy texture.
- Bold, Not Hot: The Cajun seasoning adds bold flavor, but there is no added heat like red pepper flakes or cayenne.
- Versatile: This recipe can easily be made with scallops or chicken.
Ingredients
- Large Shrimp: Choose big, plump shrimp that are firm and have no fishy smell.
- Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning adds bold flavor and just a touch of warmth to the dish.
- Smoked Sweet Paprika and Garlic Powder: I prefer OliveNation smoked sweet paprika and garlic powder for their vibrant flavor and quality, as they play a key role in the dish. Use code: NK15 for 15% off.
- Dry Shallots: Dry shallots are an easy way to add a slightly sweet, onion-like flavor to the dish.
- Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese: Parmesan adds an earthiness to the sauce, and it works together with the mozzarella to create an extra rich an cheesy sauce.
- Tomato Sauce and Heavy Cream: Tomato sauce and heavy cream work together to create a classic, creamy tomato sauce.
- Roasted Garlic Olive Oil: I prefer Costabile roasted garlic olive oil because it adds rich, deep garlic flavor to the sauce and is of the highest quality. Use code: 15GoldenGK for 15% off.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact quantities.
Flavor Substitutions and Variations
- Mild: You can omit the Cajun seasoning for a mild version of this recipe. Although the small amount of cajun really doesn't add much heat.
- Spicy: If you like extra heat, add red pepper flakes or cayenne to the dish.
- Vegetables: Add classic veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, or okra for more flavor.
- Seafood: Use other seafood like firm fish, crab, lobster, or prawns.
Equipment
Instructions
1: Boil the pasta according to the package instructions for al dent. Drain and set aside.
2: Mix the shrimp with the paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, Cajun seasoning, and parsley in a medium bowl.
3: Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Then, add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until slightly pink. Transfer them to a plate.
4: Lower the heat to medium-low and add the butter. Add the dry shallots to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute.
5: Add the tomato sauce and heavy cream. Stir well and add the parmesan cheese. Then, add the shredded mozzarella cheese and stir well. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes to thicken.
6: Gently stir in the pasta. Then, add the cooked shrimp and serve.
Top Tips
- Shrimp are perfectly cooked when they are slightly pink and C-shaped. If the shrimp are shaped like an O, they're overcooked.
- Stir the sauce constantly as it simmers to prevent sticking or burning.
- Keep the heat at medium-low while cooking the shallots and the sauce. This ensures everything is cooked perfectly without scorching.
Storage
Refrigerate this Cajun shrimp pasta for up to 4 days in an air-tight container. Freezing is not recommended. The sauce will almost certainly break and become grainy.
To reheat the dish, place it in a saucepan or saute pan and cook over medium-low heat until heated through.
Pairing Suggestions
This delicious pasta is a full meal all on its own, so keep things light with a simple salad for a full, hearty meal.
To round out a meal featuring this pasta, try a sweet dessert like this caramel crunch cake with apples, gluten-free coconut cream pie, or cinnamon pound cake.
More Shrimp Recipes
If you're a fan of shrimp, then check out my other delicious shrimp recipes.
Cajun Creamy Shrimp Pasta Questions
When choosing shrimp, look for those that have bright color and fullness to them. They should have a seafood aroma, not a fishy smell.
Perfectly cooked shrimp should be pink and shaped like a C. If the shrimp is shaped like an O, it's overcooked.
Keep the heat low, even when you want the sauce to simmer. A low simmer is fine, but boiling the sauce will cause it to separate.
If your sauce is watery, the heavy cream was not simmered long enough. To fix this in a pinch you can always add more cheese if you are unable to simmer longer.
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📖 Recipe
Cajun Creamy Shrimp Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 12 oz large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 12 oz gluten-free spaghetti
- ¾ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon OliveNation sweet smoked paprika
- 1 tsp OliveNation garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dry shallots heaping
For the Sauce
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup tomato sauce
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon Costabile garlic olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Boil the pasta according to the package instructions for al dent. Drain and set aside.
- Mix the shrimp with the paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, Cajun seasoning, and parsley in a medium bowl.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Then, add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until slightly pink. Transfer them to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and add the butter. Add the dry shallots to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the tomato sauce and heavy cream. Stir well and add the parmesan cheese. Then, add the shredded mozzarella cheese and stir well. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Gently stir in the pasta. Then, add the cooked shrimp and serve.
Notes
- If you're using fresh shrimp, look for shiny, full shrimp with bright eyes and a salty aroma. Shrimp should NEVER smell fishy or have a dull color.
- For safety, frozen shrimp should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or in a large bowl of cold water. NEVER thaw shrimp at room temperature or in hot water.
- It only takes a few minutes, so watch them carefully to prevent overcooking.
- Shrimp are perfectly cooked when they're a pinkish color and C-shaped. O-shaped shrimp are overcooked and will be rubbery.
- Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended.
- To reheat, place the shrimp pasta in a sauce pan and cook over medium-low until heated through.
Cory says
Gave this Cajun creamy shrimp pasta a try today, and it came out saucy, a little spicy, and super easy—such a quick dinner when you want something comforting.
Nicole Kendrick says
The perfect mix of cream and spice! Happy Holidays!
Jones says
This creamy shrimp pasta with cajun spices are so good, filling and easy to put together, thanks for sharing
Nicole Kendrick says
Thank you so much! Have a great day!
Michele says
The combination of Cajun spice and creamy shrimp makes this pasta recipe a real winner! Easy to make too.
Jeanne says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Tonia says
I'm allergic to shrimp so we subbed with chicken. So GOOD! Thanks for the recipe!
Nicole Kendrick says
Yay! SO happy it worked for you!!
Mag says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Juyali says
Pure comfort with a kick! This dish was so indulgent and bold. Everyone went for seconds. Definitely adding this to my dinner rotation!
Patrica Vaughn says
Thanks for the delicious recipe.
Kayla Moyano says
I made this last night and my fiance and I loved it!! So delicious, tasted like a restaurant style pasta!
NKendrick says
Wow, thank you for sharing! So happy to hear you all enjoyed it!
Rachael says
Honestly such a delicious meal. Easy to make too! My BF found it on Instagram where he finds a lot of yummy meals. Went to grab ingredients & it was done within 15-20 minutes. Definitely recommend.
NKendrick says
Yay!!! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me! Kudos to be bf for finding it!!!
Kelly says
Just made this for dinner and it was SO good!! I’ve never cooked shrimp before and know it’s easy, but I just got a small shrimp cocktail at the store and used that. Also couldn’t find dried shallots at the store I was at so I left it out but added some onion powder at that step. I Only had regular olive oil so I added some minced garlic to that. Definitely making this again!!
NKendrick says
These were amazing substitutions! Thank you for sharing what you did with it!
Dirk Ballerstein says
the instructions are nuts, especially with regards to the shrimps, first mix, then cook seperate. i am puzzled
NKendrick says
You season the shrimp, cook it, then remove it from the pan so that it doesn't over cook. What is nuts about that?
Heather says
Improvised by blending a can of diced tomatoes for the tomato sauce and using cream cheese and milk and place of the heavy cream. Delicious recipe!
NKendrick says
Thank you so much for sharing your variation! I am so happy that it worked out!