One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
This One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a spicy, comforting meal with succulent shrimp and a luscious cream sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or wide pot
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Colander
Ingredients
- 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in your pot or skillet. Toss in the peeled and deveined shrimp, seasoning them lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp from the pot and set aside—don’t overcook as they will finish cooking later in the sauce.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Sauté the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well to coat the veggies and toast the spices for about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add the linguine or fettuccine pasta. Stir gently to combine, making sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring everything to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta will absorb the liquid and thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Once the pasta is tender and the sauce is creamy, stir in the cooked shrimp and halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the shrimp is heated through and tomatoes are just softened.
- Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy, spicy goodness.
Notes
- Remove shrimp early to prevent overcooking; they finish cooking later in the sauce.
- Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the pot.
- Ensure pasta is mostly submerged in liquids for even cooking and sauce consistency.
- For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or dairy-free cream.
- Try variations like adding spinach or using chicken sausage for a different twist.