Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Cajun Shrimp Pasta with a spicy and rich cream sauce is a quick and easy dinner recipe with just the right amount of kick!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoonkosher salt
- 8 ouncespenne pasta
- 1 poundraw shrimp (deveined, cleaned, tail removed (best results if patted dry with paper towels))
- 2 tablespoonscajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoonolive oil
- 1 tablespoonbutter
- 1 cupheavy cream
- ½ cupparmesan cheese
Directions
Prior to cooking, prep all of your ingredients. you will want to add the pasta to the water around the same time you start cooking the shrimp.
- 1
Combine the 1 pound raw shrimp with the 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning and the 1 tablespoon olive oil in bowl. Toss to combine.
- 2
Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt to pot of water and bring to a boil. At the same time, heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
- 3
Add the 8 ounces penne pasta to the salted boiling water and cook to al dente doneness. Before draining, scoop out at least 1/2 cup of the cooking water. This will be reserved to thin the sauce, if needed. Drain pasta and set aside.
- 4
As soon as you add the pasta to the water, add the 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and melt. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook until golden brown on each side, turning only once. You may have to cook shrimp in two batches to allow enough room. Once they are done cooking, transfer the cooked shrimp to a clean plate and reduce the heat to medium.
- 5
Add the 1 cup heavy cream to the pan and scrape the bottom with a flat shaped wooden spoon to release any seasoning that stuck to the skillet. Allow the cream to bubble around the edges. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the 1/2 cup parmesan cheese to melt.
- 6
Add the cooked pasta and shrimp and stir to coat. If the sauce needs to be thinned, add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved. Taste and add additional salt, if desired depending on your tastes.