Weeknight dinners shouldn’t be stressful; they should be easy… one could even call them Big Easy. Cajun Shrimp Pasta helps take the strain out of whipping up a fantastic meal by being ready in 15 minutes or less! And what a meal it is! The shrimp is sweet and wonderfully accented by the spicy Cajun flavoring, the pasta is creamy and tender, and parmesan cheese always signals a good time! Cajun Shrimp Pasta encourages you to kick back and relax, and you will, from the moment you sit down to the moment your plate is clean.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of penne pasta
- 1 pound raw shrimp, deveined, cleaned, and tails removed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
Directions
Step 1 –Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 2 –Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to the package directions.
Step 3 –Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta.
Step 4 –Combine the shrimp, Cajun seasoning, and olive oil in a bowl.
Step 5 –Heat the large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 6 –Add the butter and allow it to melt.
Step 7 –Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook until golden brown on each side and cooked through at 145 degrees F, about 3-4 minutes per side. Cook in batches to avoid crowding.
Step 8 –Transfer the shrimp to a clean plate.
Step 9 –Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Step 10 –Add the heavy cream to the pan.
Step 11 –Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to incorporate any brown bits.
Step 12 –Allow the cream to bubble and reduce the heat to low.
Step 13 –Stir in the parmesan to melt.
Step 14 –Add the cooked pasta and the shrimp, stirring to coat.
Step 15 –Add the reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time to thin out the sauce, if necessary.
Step 16 –Serve.
