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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a delicious and spicy dish that combines succulent shrimp with a rich and flavorful sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 4 servings
Calories 590 kcal

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • deep skillet
  • food processor
  • large pot

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed, patted dry
  • 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning store-bought or homemade
  • 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, coarsely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 12 oz. linguine
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1 ½ cups), plus more for serving
  • ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ cup thinly sliced chives

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, toss shrimp, Cajun seasoning, and 2 Tbsp. oil; lightly season with salt.
  • In a large, deep, 12" skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 Tbsp. oil. Working in batches, cook shrimp, making sure shrimp is touching skillet, until browned and cooked through, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out skillet.
  • In a food processor, pulse onion, bell pepper, and garlic, scraping down sides if needed, until very smooth and a puree forms, about 1 minute.
  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  • Meanwhile, in same skillet over medium heat, heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil. Cook onion mixture, stirring frequently and adding a splash of water if browning too quickly, until most of the liquid is evaporated and mixture becomes drier and thicker, 7 to 10 minutes.
  • Add cream to onion mixture, scraping any bits stuck to bottom of pan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Whisk Parmesan into sauce until thick and homogenous. Add shrimp, pasta, parsley, chives, and ¾ cup pasta water, stirring and adding more pasta water if needed, until sauce is smooth and glossy. Top with more Parmesan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 590kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 27gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 860mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cajun, creamy, Dinner, pasta, shrimp
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