30-Minute Cajun Shrimp Pasta
A weeknight-friendly pasta that tastes restaurant-level, this creamy Cajun shrimp dish is ready in about 35 minutes and loaded with flavor.
Servings 6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne or any short pasta
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (divided) store-bought or homemade*
- 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- ½ medium white onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ½ lemon halved
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 Roma tomatoes cored and chopped
- chopped parsley for topping
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water before draining. Return the pasta to the pot and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, season the shrimp with 1½ teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes per side or until opaque. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the diced onion. Cook for about 3 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and remaining 1½ teaspoons of Cajun seasoning, cooking for 1 minute more.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced. Stir in the Parmesan and the juice from ½ a lemon. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Pour the sauce into the pot with the cooked pasta. Add the shrimp and chopped tomato, tossing gently until everything is well coated. Add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if the sauce needs thinning.
- Finish with chopped parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon before serving.
Notes
Homemade Cajun Seasoning (6 teaspoons)
- 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Nutrition
Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 615kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g
