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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.
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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 extra virgin 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.
    16 oz cooked linguine or fettuccine
    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.
    4 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning blend, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    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.
    1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon light butter
    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.
    1 cup 2% milk, ½ cup light cream cheese, ½ cup grated 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.
    1 teaspoon oregano, 1.5 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, Fresh parsley
    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.
    1 cup reserved pasta water
    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!
    Fresh parsley
    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
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