Recipe: Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta (Complete Recipe)

2026-03-12

Serves: 4 | Total time: ~30 minutes | Why it works: Quick sear keeps shrimp juicy; pasta starch plus cream and Parmesan make a silky sauce.

Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled/deveined - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or mix) - 2 tbsp olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 red bell pepper, sliced - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth - 3/4 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half) - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional) - Juice of 1/2 lemon - Salt, pepper, chopped parsley

Method
1) Cook pasta in salted water to al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water.
2) Pat shrimp dry; toss with Cajun seasoning.
3) In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Sear shrimp 1–2 minutes per side; remove.
4) In same pan, sauté bell pepper 2–3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
5) Pour in broth, scraping browned bits. Stir in cream and paprika; simmer 2 minutes.
6) Add pasta, Parmesan, and a splash of pasta water; toss until creamy. Return shrimp; warm 1 minute.
7) Finish with lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.

Meal plan Pantry essentials