Bowtie pasta combines with shrimp in a spicy, creamy sauce in this quick and flavorful seafood dish that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
It’s hard to believe you can whip up this restaurant quality Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta in 30 minutes or less, but you can! And your family will thank you for it.
As much as I love eating out, sometimes it’s honestly quicker and easier to make something at home. And when it’s as delicious as a meal you’d get at your favorite Italian restaurant, why not stay in and save time and money?
I like to think of the creamy sauce for this pasta as a spicy Alfredo. Made with heavy cream, Cajun seasoning and Parmesan cheese, it’s the perfect accompaniment to the shrimp and bowtie noodles.
My youngest doesn’t care for shrimp, but his dad and I gladly eat it for him. But even seafood haters will love the pasta and sauce in this recipe, so everyone is happy.
And I’m not complaining, because…..more shrimp for me!
This dish is also perfect for a romantic date night for two, although I’d suggest cutting the recipe in half in that case. Unless you’re really hungry.
Not that leftovers would be a bad thing–although leftover, reheated shrimp can get a little rubbery. Be sure not to cook your shrimp too long when you make this the first time either, since that can also lead to a rubbery texture.
If you don’t like shrimp, chicken and cooked Italian sausage are also wonderful in this recipe. And you can definitely use other sizes and shapes of pasta too.
Feel free to add extra Cajun seasoning to the recipe if you like things extra spicy. I like to keep it on the mild side and put the Cajun seasoning on the table for anyone who wants to add more heat.
If you’re looking to impress friends and family with a restaurant quality meal, this rich, creamy Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is just the recipe you need.
Be sure to save this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Tips for Cooking Pasta
Use a big pot: Cook pasta in a large pot–big enough to hold 6 quarts of water per pound of pasta.
Salt: Generously season your cooking water with salt. A few teaspoons per quart of water is a good place to start. Although a little more or less is fine, depending on your preference.
Don’t overcook: Boil your pasta to until it is al dente, which means it’s cooked, but still a bit chewy. You’ll want to test your pasta for flavor and texture every 20 seconds or so during the last few minutes of cooking.
If you’ll continue cooking the pasta in a sauce, or baking it in the oven, remove the pot from the heat a few minutes before it’s done to prevent overcooking.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Bowtie pasta
- Shrimp
- Spices: Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Produce: garlic, tomatoes, parsley, lemons
- Chicken broth
- Parmesan cheese
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta
- 1 pound medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
- Meanwhile, toss shrimp with the Cajun seasoning, and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté until pink, 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- Add garlic to skillet and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, 3-5 minutes. Add additional broth, if desired, until sauce reaches desired consistency. Stir in the cooked pasta, shrimp, tomatoes, parsley and lemon juice.
- Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan, if desired.
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Nutrition
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Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from Cuisine at Home
