Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Cajun shrimp pasta made with pappardelle, bold spices, and a rich Parmesan sauce. An easy, flavour-packed dinner ready fast.

This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is one of those easy dinners that feels a little more special without requiring much extra effort. Tender shrimp are coated in a bold Cajun spice blend, then tossed with pappardelle in a rich, creamy sauce that’s full of savoury flavour with just the right amount of heat.

It comes together in about 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something satisfying and full of flavour. The wide pappardelle noodles hold onto the sauce beautifully, giving you a creamy, spicy bite every time.

Tips for Best Results

• Shrimp: Use large shrimp, pat dry before seasoning, and cook only until opaque to avoid rubberiness.
• Cajun seasoning: Mix all spices first; optionally toast for 30–60 seconds for deeper flavour. Adjust cayenne for heat preference.
• Vegetables: Sauté onions and peppers until soft but slightly crisp. Add garlic last to avoid burning.
• Sauce: Deglaze with broth to lift browned bits. Add cream gradually and stir gently. Use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.
• Pasta: Cook until al dente; pappardelle holds the creamy sauce beautifully due to its wide ribbons.
• Finishing touches: Taste and adjust seasoning. Optional squeeze of lemon or sprinkle of parsley adds freshness. Serve immediately.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Pappardelle – wide pasta absorbs sauce well; can swap for fettuccine, linguine, or gluten-free pasta
• Shrimp – can use chicken, scallops, firm white fish, or plant-based shrimp alternatives
• Olive oil – avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or butter
• Onion – shallots or leeks for milder flavour
• Bell pepper – any colour, roasted red peppers for smoky sweetness
• Garlic – garlic powder if fresh isn’t available
• Smoked paprika – regular or sweet paprika if needed
• Broth – chicken or vegetable; water + bouillon cube in a pinch
• Worcestershire sauce – soy sauce, coconut aminos, or a splash of balsamic vinegar
• Heavy cream – half-and-half, evaporated milk, or coconut cream for dairy-free
• Parmesan – Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or vegan Parmesan
• Cajun spice blend – pre-made Cajun seasoning or adjust spices individually to taste

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Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Yield: 6 servings | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Cajun Seasoning Blend (Use 2 Tablespoons)

• 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon cayenne
• 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme

Pasta + Sauce

• 12 oz pappardelle
• 1 1/2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for sauce)
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (from the blend above)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cook the pasta
   Cook pappardelle in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Season the shrimp
   Toss the shrimp with 2 tablespoons of the Cajun seasoning blend. Set aside. (Image 1)
3. Sear the shrimp
   Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until just opaque. Remove and set aside. (Image 2)

1. Sauté the vegetables
   In the same pan, cook onion and bell pepper 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more. (Image 3)
2. Build the sauce
   Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Add broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 2–3 minutes. (Image 4)
3. Add cream and Parmesan
   Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth. (Image 5)
4. Combine everything
   Add pappardelle and shrimp to the sauce. Toss to coat. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed.
5. Finish and serve
   Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.

Continue to Content

Yield: 6 servings

Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Creamy Cajun shrimp pasta made with pappardelle, bold spices, and a rich Parmesan sauce. An easy, flavour-packed dinner ready fast.

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Ingredients

Cajun Seasoning Blend (Use 2 Tablespoons)

Toggle ingredient group

• 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon cayenne
• 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme

Pasta + Sauce

Toggle ingredient group

• 12 oz pappardelle
• 1 1/2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for sauce)
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (from the blend above)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook pappardelle in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Toss the shrimp with 2 tablespoons of the Cajun seasoning blend. Set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until just opaque. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same pan, cook onion and bell pepper 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
5. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Add broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
6. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth.
7. Add pappardelle and shrimp to the sauce. Toss to coat. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.

Recommended Products

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  Crock Pot Artisan 8 Inch Enameled Cast Iron Round Skillet
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  3-Quart Multi-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Saucepan
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  Lodge 11-inch Enamelled Cast Iron Skillet

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

2 cups of pasta with sauce and shrimp
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 708Total Fat: 41gSaturated Fat: 22gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 365mgSodium: 5064mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 7gSugar: 5gProtein: 46g

This information is provided as a courtesy and for entertainment purposes only. This information comes from online calculators. Although frugalmomeh.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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