This Cajun Shrimp Pasta Alfredo recipe is made with perfectly seasoned juicy shrimp cooked to perfection and tossed in a creamy alfredo sauce with your favorite pasta. This meal is delicious enough for weeknights and special enough for celebrations. It is a great recipe with protein and flavor and far more budget friendly than eating out!
The easy alfredo sauce that coats this shrimp and pasta dish is a homemade recipe that you can feel good about, no more need to buy premade jarred sauces when you have a delicious preservative free recipe.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
✔️ It is a quick and easy dinner recipe made with simple ingredients with the right amount of flavors.
✔️ This cajun shrimp meal is ready in just 20 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights for a dinner the whole family will love.
✔️ The creaminess of the alfredo sauce contrasts the spicy and mellows out the heat while packing a punch of flavor.
🥘 Ingredients
Fresh shrimp, I like to buy jumbo or large shrimp and leave the tails on.
Cajun spice
Olive oil
Pasta, I chose to use a fresh linguini pasta.
Heavy whipping cream, to create the creamy sauce
Chicken broth, thins out the cream and adds flavor.
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley and red pepper flakes for garnish (optional)
🔪 Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked toss with 1 tablespoon butter and a few tablespoons of freshly shredded parmesan.
- In a large bowl, toss shrimp with cajun seasoning. Heat the olive oil a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the shrimp and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the pasta while the shrimp cook. Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions. Once cooked toss with 1 tablespoon butter and a few tablespoons of freshly shredded parmesan.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the chicken broth and butter to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and add the heavy cream. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. Stir in the parmesan cheese.
- Serve the shrimp and sauce over top of pasta sprinkled with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes (if using).
🥄 Equipment
Large pot, to cook the pasta.
Large skillet, to cook the shrimp and make the alfredo sauce
Large bowl, to season the shrimp
Colendar, to drain the pasta
Tongs, to toss the sauce with the pasta.
🥫Storage
Store any leftover cajun shrimp alfredo pasta in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
📖 Variations
- Cook some cooked chorizo or andouille sausages to add to the shrimp and pasta.
- Substitute half of the heavy cream for cream cheese.
- Substitute ½ teaspoon garlic powder and onion powder with 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper in place of the cajun seasoning.
- Substitute your favorite pasta, penne pasta or fettuccine pasta are good ones that will work in this recipe.
💭 Tips
Place frozen shrimp in a colander and place in the sink. Run cold water over the shrimp until shrimp have thawed. Remove shells before cooking.
📚 Related Recipes
Similar to Chili's menu recipe, this Cajun Chicken Pasta packs flavor and spice.
Quick and Easy Chicken Alfredo is mild and creamy and a family favorite.
🍽 Serve with...
For a complete meal, serve the shrimp and pasta with a healthy green salad topped with Italian vinaigrette and for a beverage this Frosty Peach Mojito!
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When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Cajun Shrimp Pasta Alfredo
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Ingredients
For the shrimp
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined, tails left on
- ¾ tablespoon cajun seasoning
- ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
For the alfredo sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 9 ounces fresh linguine pasta
Instructions
- Toss shrimp with cajun seasoning. Cook shrimp in hot skillet with butter until no longer pink (be careful to not overcook or it will be tough). Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Linguine – we use Bertolli fresh linguini. It is our very favorite and I use it for every pasta dish that I want linguini for! Cook the package according to directions. Once cooked toss with 1 tablespoon butter and a few tablespoons of freshly shredded parmesan.
- Bring to a boil chicken broth and butter. Add heavy cream and simmer until thickened. Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
- Serve sauce over top of linguini and shrimp. You can sprinkle with parsley, but since I only had cilantro I went with that.
Megan
Guess whats for dinner tonight? 😉
Corey
Thank you!
I will be using this for the Valentine menu where I work, going to try it out tomorrow 😀
Aggie
My mouth is watering...
marla
This linguine shrimp looks rich & fabulous!! xo
MaryMoh
Looks too good to pass....mmmmm. I love prawns. I need more prawns 😀
Michelle
Can't ever go wrong pairing shrimp and parmesan!
Joanne
Oh my goodness. Just like Claudia said. It's amazing.The recipe is superb. Good job.
Megan
OH MY Goodness Shelby, this sounds sooo good! And I don't think it could get much easier.
Shrimp and cream just went on the shopping list.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
Yum and double yum! You know I love shrimp - we have it pretty often around here and I'm always looking for fabulous new recipes to try. This one just made the to-try list!
Cajun Chef Ryan
Shelby,
How about that combination of Italian and Cajun all in one dish!
As we say in Cajun Country..."Aiiieeeeee!"
Now, time for some good ole Cajun Two Step dancing.....
"Me oh my oh....got to get some of dat Cajun Pasta oh!"
Lynda
This looks fantastic Shelby! I also bookmarked this recipe from Claudia's blog.
Jason's BBQ Adventures
Great looking dish, love the use of Cajun shrimp in with the linguini.
theUngourmet
I haven't had shrimp in ages! This one is definitely calling my name. Delicious!
Patsyk
This looks fantastic! I imagine everyone in my house would love it!
Pamela
Whoa...that looks incredible!!
SMITH BITES
a lovely, lovely dish - that shrimp looks cooked to perfection!!
teresa
oh yummy! i just love shrimp, and i'm of the opinion that it's extra good on pasta!
Kim - Liv Life
Claudia has some of the most wonderful recipes!!
I'm loving this one, it's printed and hopefully will be on our menu in the next few days!!
Pegasuslegend
Thanks for you kind words of appreciation but I have to tell you yours looks far better than mine did and with shrimp you aced this one! Fabulous adaptions made lovely pictures and thanks for the wonderful mentions! xo
Lori
First I'd like to say bravo on your other blog. I like the look and I like what you said.
I hope your bakery comes into being.
Second, ooooweeeee (Justin WIlliams voice inserted here), this looks some good! I'd like to have me some!