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Cajun Shrimp Pasta
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5 from 7 votes

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe is made with tender shrimp, colorful veggies, and the most delicious zesty alfredo sauce.  Feel free to make yours with shrimp, chicken, sausage, or any other favorite proteins.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Spanish
Keyword: mardi gras, pasta, shrimp

Ingredients

Pasta Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces uncooked pasta any shape (I used penne)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound large raw shrimp* peeled and deveined
  • 2 medium bell peppers cored and thinly sliced (I used one red, one yellow)
  • 1 small red onion peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 batch Creamy Cajun Alfredo Sauce (see below)
  • 1 large handful baby spinach
  • optional toppings: thinly-sliced green onions extra freshly-grated Parmesan cheese

Creamy Cajun Alfredo Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 4 large cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes drained
  • 1 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning homemade or store-bought
  • salt and freshly-cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions in a large stockpot of generously-salted water.  Drain.  For optimal timing, I recommend saving this step until the end of the recipe so that your pasta is nice and hot.
  • Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.  Add shrimp*, onions and bell peppers and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and opaque and cooked-through.  The veggies should be softened but not soggy.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan (or you can opt to re-use the sauté pan, after the shrimp and veggies have been cooked), make the Creamy Cajun Alfredo Sauce.  Heat oil or butter over medium-high heat.  Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.  Whisk in the flour until completely combined, then cook for 1 more minute, stirring occasionally.  Whisk in the stock until the mixture is completely smooth.  Then whisk in the milk, drained diced tomatoes, Parmesan and Cajun seasoning until combined.  Continue cooking the sauce until it nearly reaches a simmer and thickens.  Taste, and season with salt and pepper (and extra Cajun seasoning, if needed) to taste.
  • Stir together the cooked pasta, veggies, shrimp, alfredo sauce, and baby spinach until combined.  Then serve warm, garnished with thinly-sliced green onions and extra Parmesan, if desired.

Notes

*If you would like your shrimp to be extra-zesty, I highly recommend tossing them in an additional tablespoon of Cajun seasoning before sautéing.