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Creamy shrimp pasta with fresh parsley and red peppers in a white bowl, accompanied by sliced baguette in the background.

Cajun Creamy Shrimp Pasta

If you’re looking for a pasta dish that combines bold flavors with a touch of spice, this creamy Cajun shrimp pasta recipe is a must-try. Made with succulent shrimp, a Cajun cream sauce, and al dente pasta, this dish has all the flavors of New Orleans in every bite. Perfect for busy weeknights, this delicious recipe is a huge hit with the whole family. And with simple ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store, it’s a flavorful dinner option that's both easy and satisfying.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamy pasta
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 263kcal
Author: Lola Jay

Ingredients

Shrimp

  • 1.5 lb fresh or frozen shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning blend
  • 1.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon light butter

Cajun Cream Sauce

  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • ½ cup light cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water

Pasta

  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • 16 oz cooked linguine or fettuccine or penne pasta for a twist
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook the linguine

  • Cook the linguine until al dente and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
    Woman cooking pasta in a cozy kitchen with wooden cabinets and bright flowers on the counter.

Season and Marinate the Shrimp

  • In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with minced garlic, oregano, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice. Toss until the shrimp are well-coated, then set aside for a couple of minutes to let the flavors develop.
    Person marinating shrimp with spices in a glass dish, wearing gloves, on a wooden kitchen counter.

Cook the Shrimp

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Sauté shrimp for 1 minute on each side until they are pink and tender. Add butter until melted. Be careful not to overcook; juicy shrimp is key for this pasta dish. Once cooked, remove the shrimp and set aside in an airtight container.
    Sizzling shrimp with butter in a pan, perfect for a flavorful seafood dish.

Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce

  • In a blender, add milk, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
    Person holding open blender cup with white smoothie inside in a kitchen setting.
  • Add blended mixture to the same skillet you cooked the shrimp in on medium heat. Add the garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, oregano, and smoked paprika.
    Adding spices to creamy sauce with wooden spoon in pan for a delicious recipe. Perfect for rich flavor enhancement.
  • Let the sauce simmer on medium heat for a couple of minutes until it thickens.
    Wooden spoon with creamy spiced sauce dripping into a pot, perfect for cooking a flavorful dish.

Combine Pasta, Shrimp, and Sauce

  • Add the cooked shrimp to the skillet, along with the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
    Cooked shrimp being poured into a creamy sauce in a skillet for a flavorful seafood dish.
  • Toss the pasta in the sauce until coated. Stir everything together for a creamy, Cajun-inspired pasta that’s full of bold flavors.
    Cooking shrimp pasta with creamy sauce in a kitchen; spaghetti being added to sauce.

Garnish and Serve

  • Sprinkle fresh parsley over the pasta for a touch of color and a hint of freshness. Serve hot and enjoy this Cajun creamy shrimp pasta recipe with family and friends!
    Creamy shrimp pasta garnished with fresh parsley on a black plate, set on a wooden table.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 247mg | Sodium: 913mg | Potassium: 564mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 916IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 288mg | Iron: 1mg