Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Creamy pasta with Cajun-seasoned shrimp makes a lively dinner to sit down to. The tomato softens into the sauce, with Parmesan rounding out the spice. Spoon it into bowls while the shrimp is tender and the warm sauce still slips easily around the penne.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Original yield
- Serves 6
- Ingredients
- 10 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Seafood
- Cuisine
- American
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 30 minutes or less
- Dish type
- Pasta
A few quick notes
1. Save pasta water
Reserve some cooking water before draining the penne, then keep the cooked pasta covered while the shrimp and sauce are prepared.
2. Sear shrimp in one layer
Lay seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook just until no longer translucent before removing and covering them.
3. Keep the sauce at a simmer
After cream, seasoning and Parmesan go in, reduce to medium-low and simmer until the sauce thickens before returning pasta and shrimp.
Get to know the ingredients
Cajun seasoning varies
Brands differ in salt and heat. Try starting with half the seasoning and adding more to taste.
Peeled shrimp
Use large shrimp already peeled and deveined, ready for the short cooking stage before the creamy sauce is made.
Diced tomato
Dice the tomato before cooking. It softens briefly with the fragrant garlic and butter before cream and cheese go in.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 5 steps completeMake room for Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Warm everything together
Return shrimp and pasta to the sauce, stir until coated and heated through, then add optional parsley and extra Parmesan.
A little more help as you go
Loosen only as needed
Use a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce needs thinning during the final toss with shrimp and penne.
Brief garlic stage
Cook minced garlic in melted butter for thirty seconds before adding tomatoes, giving the garlic a fragrant start without a long sauté.
A few questions you might have
Can I use another short pasta?
Rigatoni or ziti can replace penne. Cook al dente according to the package before adding to the sauce.
How long can I keep leftovers?
Refrigerate the finished shrimp pasta in an airtight container within two hours and use it within four days.
How should I reheat the pasta?
Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring every thirty seconds, until heated through to 165°F.
What can loosen sauce during reheating?
You can use a splash of cream or chicken stock to loosen the sauce when warming leftover shrimp pasta.
Does Parmesan only go on top?
Half a cup goes into the simmering cream sauce with Cajun seasoning. Additional Parmesan is optional over the finished pasta.
Any more cooking tips?
Cajun seasoning brands vary a lot in salt and spiciness, so start with half of the seasoning and add more to taste. Pasta: Any short pasta, such as rigatoni or ziti, works in place of penne. Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours and use within 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, or in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds, until heated through to 165°F. Add a splash of cream or chicken stock to loosen the sauce.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: natashaskitchen.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
