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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Bold Flavor

A close-up of a white plate filled with Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Bold Flavor, featuring fettuccine noodles coated in an orange sauce and topped with seasoned shrimp.
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Make a rich and intensely flavored Cajun shrimp pasta using a homemade bold spice blend and a thick cream sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend (see notes for blend)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp (toss shrimp lightly with 1 teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning). Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and thyme. Cook the spices for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth reduce slightly for 2 minutes.
  6. Lower the heat and slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Let the sauce gently simmer for 3-5 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly. Do not boil rapidly.
  7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a bold Cajun seasoning blend, mix together 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
  • Use high-quality heavy cream for the richest texture.
  • If you prefer a tangier sauce, add 1 tablespoon of cream cheese along with the heavy cream.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorzine.com/creamy-cajun-shrimp-pasta-bold-flavor/