Cajun Shrimp Pasta – An Easy 20 Minute Meal

Let kick dinner up a notch with this Cajun Shrimp Pasta: quick 20 minute meal that is perfect for busy weeknights.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Ohhhhh Yeah! I’m all about easy and delicious meals, but when I can make it in under 20 minutes?! It’s definitely a winner in my book. And extra bonus points for color!( look at all the color!!) There is something so delicious about comfort food. It just satisfies all the cravings in all the right places. (like my crockpot lasagna casserole or southwest chicken pasta)

My husband and I just made it 6 months into marriage and we decided to celebrate it. (We’re supposed to celebrate the small things right?) Plus we have a ton of wedding cake leftover and it’s kind of taking up precious room in the freezer. So cake is on the menu too!

The fact that we decided this when we were practically hangry, I knew I had to think of something quick, but special.  Living in the south, aka New Orleans, we LOVE food, but in particular, we love flavor, spice and seafood.  So I grabbed some shrimp from the store and went home to whip up a delicious homecooked meal.

I love this recipe for the simple fact that you can make it as spicy or as mild as you want. The recipe below is tame but you can add more as you see fit. It’s easier to add at the end then subtract from the beginning. (This works for all things in life … but especially for salt. 😛 ) We have tons of different seasoning options here. Probably the most popular around the world is Tony Chachere’s but I prefer Slap Ya Mama’s seasoning for this recipe. I know it’s a crazy name but it goes with a saying, “Tastes so good, it makes ya wanna slap yo momma.” (We don’t really slap our mommas.) It’s a great combination of seasonings and perfect to adding flavor and spice to your meal.

RELATED: Crockpot Lasagna Casserole

Ingredients:

• Pasta (your choice)
• Shrimp (Medium or Large)
• Green Bell Pepper
• Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
• Tomato Paste
• Yellow Onion
• Minced Garlic
• Slap Ya Mama Seasoning
• Parsley
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Chicken Broth
• Cayenne Pepper ( Optional)
• Red Pepper Flakes ( Optional)
• Butter
• Oil

How to Make Cajun Shrimp Pasta

To start, cook pasta as stated on box. I prefer using bowtie, penne or angel hair pasta but you could use any pasta that fits your preference. Once that is done, set it aside. It’s time to work on the shrimp.

Fresh, uncooked shrimp are always best to work with but I know if you aren’t from the south it is harder to get your hands on the fresh shrimp. Frozen uncooked would be your next best thing. Make sure they are at least medium or bigger. I prefer large as the shrimp cook down to pretty tiny. Using uncooked shrimp, you are starting with a fresh base. You can season them well and the shrimp really absorb the flavors as they are cooking. If they are already cooked, they flavors don’t absorb as well and your shrimp can become more shriveled with cooking. In a bowl, add in shrimp with oil, cayenne, seasoning, and toss to coat. You can also let them marinate overnight in the seasoning in the fridge, but it’s not necessary.

In a large skillet, melt butter to coat the pan. Over medium heat, add in shrimp. If uncooked, cook each side for approx 3 mintes until cooked and then flip and cook another 3 on the other side. If they are already cooked and defrosted if frozen, it is just until they are warm. Then, set shrimp aside. 

Next, in the same skillet you used for the shrimp, add in onion, garlic, bell pepper. Cook these down until onion is translucent, stirring often.  Then add the shrimp back in along with red pepper flakes, and tomato paste. Stir to coat. (Red pepper flakes along with the cayenne are what give it the spice, so use as much as you prefer with these two items.) Last, add in tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir. Let simmer 5-8 minutes. Then remove from heat and add the pasta. Stir until combined and then enjoy!

I love serving mine with warm bread. You can also do a salad as well.

Tips for Making Cajun Shrimp Pasta:

• Fresh uncooked shrimp are the best to use. If you cannot find fresh, use frozen uncooked.
• Cayenne and red pepper flakes are what gives the dish the spice. This is mild but you can add more if you prefer more spice
• Start with less and then add more at the end. It’s easier to add at the end than to take it away. (This goes for salt and spice.)
• The pasta is good in the fridge for 3 days or freeze it if you make a lot. Last in freezer for up to 3 months.
• You can substitute crawfish in place of the shrimp for a different seafood or scallops. If you don’t like seafood, you can do chicken as well.
• Half and half or whole milk work as a substitute for the heavy cream as well.

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5 from 1 vote

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Cajun Shrimp Pasta

A delicious cajun shrimp pasta packed full of flavor. Make this meal as spicy as you want for an amazing dinner in under 20 minutes. 

Course Main Course

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta (Fettuccine or Penne etc)
• 1 lb shrimp* peeled
• olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp Slam Ya Mama seasoning**
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 onion diced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 green bell pepper large
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• pinch red pepper flakes
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 14.5 oz fire roasted tomatoes diced

Instructions

1. In a medium pot, cook pasta and then set aside.  

2. In a bowl, add in shrimp with oil, cayenne, seasoning, and toss to coat.
   

3. In a large skillet, use butter to coat pan. Over medium heat, add in shrimp. If uncooked, cook each side for approx 3 mintes until cooked and then flip and cook another 3 on the other side. Set shrimp aside. 

4. In the same skillet, Add in onion, garlic, bell pepper. Cookie onion till translucent. 

5. Add back in shrimp, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste. Stir to coat. 

6. Add in tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir. Let simmer 5-8 minutes. 

7. Turn off heat and add back in pasta. 

Recipe Notes

*You can use cooked or uncooked shrimp*

**Slap Ya Mama seasoning can be substituted with another creole seasoning. Just watch for added salt( sodium in them)

I prefer using most things salt free (unsalted butter, chicken broth etc.) You can always add more salt at the end. 

RELATED: Easy Creamy Loaded Potato Soup

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