Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Loaded with succulent, spicy shrimp and tossed in a creamy sauce, this Cajun shrimp pasta tastes like it comes straight from your favorite restaurant menu. Serve it with a garden salad and a basket of homemade Dutch oven bread, and you might question ever going out to eat again.

Don’t be concerned about dirtying a million dishes while replicating that big restaurant flavor; this easy pasta recipe is a low-mess wonder that really only requires a pasta pot and a skillet for the saucy shrimp. Plus, this (almost) one-dish pasta recipe can be whipped up in as little as 30 minutes—faster than most takeout!

Ingredients for Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Pasta: For this pasta recipe, a box of your favorite penne pasta will do the trick. You can switch it up, however, and choose any short pasta shape you like, such as farfalle, rotini or cavatappi. Linguine and fettuccine are lovely options if you prefer longer noodles.
• Butter: Butter and shrimp were made for each other (hello, shrimp scampi). The rich taste of butter amplifies the sweetness of the shrimp.
• Shrimp: For this recipe, choose large raw shrimp (26 to 30 count) that have been peeled and deveined. You can use many types of shrimp, either fresh or frozen. If you use frozen, thaw them completely by submerging the shrimp under cold water in a resealable plastic bag.
• Cajun seasoning: You can’t have Cajun shrimp pasta without a healthy amount of Cajun seasoning. This spice blend is available in most supermarkets and typically contains black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika.
• Garlic: This aromatic gives the sauce the perfect amount of pungent flavor.
• Heavy cream: Rich and creamy, this recipe is a great way to use up extra heavy cream. You can use half-and-half for a slightly healthier variation, but your sauce will have a thinner consistency.
• Parmesan cheese: Add salty nuttiness to this Cajun shrimp pasta recipe with Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated cheese will melt more evenly into the sauce than store-bought grated cheese. You can also splurge on Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano for a more upscale dinner.
• Tomato: For a little color and acidity, stir in tomatoes. Any one of the different types of tomatoes could would work well, like tomatoes on the vine or heirloom tomatoes.
• Parsley: Sprinkle the pasta with flecks of green for a pretty garnish that also offers herbaceous flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta and saute the shrimp

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In a large pot, cook pasta according to the package directions. (Psst: We prefer our pasta al dente.)

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Cook and stir until the shrimp turn pink, about three to five minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and keep them warm.

Editor’s Tip: Shrimp recipes are easy to overcook, so keep a close eye on them. An easy way to tell if your shrimp are fully cooked is to see whether they are curled into a nice, soft C shape. Overcooked shrimp will curl tightly into an O shape.

Step 2: Make the sauce

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In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the garlic. Cook and stir it until it’s fragrant, about one minute. Then, whisk in the cream and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the cream, uncovered, until it has slightly thickened, four to six minutes.

Step 3: Combine and serve

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Stir in the Parmesan cheese, tomato and remaining 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning.

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Stir in the shrimp. Drain the pasta, then add it to the skillet and toss to coat it with the sauce. Garnish the pasta with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve.

Editor’s Tip: If you want your Cajun shrimp pasta to be extra spicy, you can add additional Cajun seasoning or a few teaspoons of Calabrian chilies or crushed red pepper flakes. A dash of hot sauce is another way to turn up the heat.

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Cajun Shrimp Pasta Variations

• Add extra veggies: For a burst of color and nutrients, saute a selection of vegetables ahead of the garlic in Step 3 of the recipe. Bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus or thinly sliced onion all work nicely in this creamy Cajun shrimp pasta.
• Swap the protein: You can either add additional protein to this pasta or swap out the shrimp for something completely different. Grilled chicken breast or spicy andouille sausage are two of our favorites. Or stick with seafood and add bay scallops, lump crabmeat, lobster or fillets of crispy air-fryer salmon.
• Make it gluten-free: This creamy pasta sauce is made without flour, so it’s super easy to adapt into a gluten-free dinner. Simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta and you should be good to go. You may also want to check the label of your Cajun seasoning, since some spice blends are manufactured in facilities with gluten-containing products or may have additives that contain gluten.

How to Store Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Leftovers of this Cajun shrimp pasta may be refrigerated for three to four days in an airtight food storage container. To reheat the pasta, warm it gently in the microwave with a splash of milk until it’s heated through. Alternatively, you may also reheat it on the stovetop in a skillet over medium-low heat until it’s warm.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta Tips

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How do you clean shrimp?

While buying shrimp that have been peeled and deveined for you is a great time-saver, you can also do this step yourself. To prep the shrimp, you’ll want to remove the shells and tails as well as the vein that runs along the shrimps’ backs. For a more thorough explainer, read our guide on how to clean shrimp.

How do you know when the shrimp are done cooking?

The best way to know when shrimp are cooked (and safe to eat) is to watch their color. A perfectly cooked shrimp has an opaque pink color with a slight sheen. When they are overcooked, shrimp turn a dull matte white or gray color. Conversely, undercooked shrimp will have a slightly translucent blue-grey appearance.

What can you do if the sauce is too thin?

If your sauce is thinner than you would like, thicken it by whisking 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 to 4 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream in a small bowl until smooth. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce and cook it for several minutes until it begins to thicken.

What can you serve with Cajun shrimp pasta?

This Cajun shrimp pasta can be served with your favorite side salads or with a sheet pan of roasted vegetables. We also love to serve this creamy Cajun shrimp pasta recipe with some sort of homemade bread to sop up every last drop of the delectably spicy sauce. Try copycat Olive Garden breadsticks, easy French loaves or any one of our crusty focaccia recipes.