Name: Easy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 16 oz pasta (any shape); 1 cup reserved pasta water; 1 lb medium shrimp (peeled and thawed if frozen); 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided); 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning; 4 tablespoons butter; 1 medium onion (chopped); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 2 cups half and half; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (more for serving)

Recipe

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This Cajun shrimp pasta is bold, creamy, and full of flavor. The perfect recipe for weeknights when you need something quick and crave-worthy.

Perfectly seasoned shrimp and a creamy, flavor-packed sauce are what make this Cajun shrimp pasta recipe always a winner.

Spicy Shrimp Pasta

This Cajun shrimp pasta is the reason I keep a pound of peeled shrimp in the freezer at all times. It’s for nights when my family requests Crawfish Monica pasta but can't get my hands on crawfish tails; this recipe comes to the rescue.

Shrimp thaws and cooks super fast, making this pasta the faster, yet equally delicious cousin that still delivers those authentic New Orleans flavors. Want to make it more filling? This Cajun shrimp & sausage pasta is also epic!

Ingredients

Pasta and shrimp get a delicious flavor from the Cajun seasoning (Creole and blackened seasoning make a tasty swap). You’ll mix them with a creamy sauce made with butter, onion, garlic, half and half, and Parmesan cheese. Super simple and oh-so-delish!

How to Make Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Check out this overview of the process to learn useful tips that will help you make the most delicious Cajun shrimp pasta:

Cook
While the pasta cooks in a pot, cook the seasoned shrimp in a skillet for 3 to 4 minutes. To avoid watery shrimp, do not overcrowd the pan; work in batches instead if needed.
Make the sauce
Use the same skillet to make the sauce by sautéing the onion and garlic in butter for a few minutes. Add half-and-half and Parmesan cheese, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine
Add the cooked pasta, shrimp, and reserved pasta water to the creamy sauce, and mix to combine. For a saucier consistency, add more pasta water.

top view of a white dish with cajun shrimp pasta

Other Quick Pasta Recipes

Don’t you love how quickly you can make an epic pasta dinner? I do! Other hits in my house are this rotisserie chicken pasta, this spicy penne pasta, this drool-worthy carbonara sauce, and easy skillet lasagna. Like this Cajun pasta, you can make all of these in 25 minutes or less!

Easy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 25

This Cajun shrimp pasta is bold, creamy, and full of flavor. The perfect recipe for weeknights when you need something quick and crave-worthy.

5 from 3 votes

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Ingredients

16 oz pasta, any shape
1 cup reserved pasta water
1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and thawed if frozen
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
4 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups half and half
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, more for serving

Instructions

Prep:

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
Pat the shrimp dry with 2 paper towels, then transfer them to a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 ½ teaspoons (½ tablespoon) of the Cajun seasoning. Toss the shrimp in the olive oil and seasonings.

Cook the shrimp:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer without touching and cook them for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Avoid overcrowding; cook in two batches if needed-otherwise, the pan will steam and the shrimp will release watery juices. Shrimp are done in 3 to 4 minutes total, once they're no longer translucent pink. Remove them from the pan onto a plate and repeat the batch if needed.

Make the Sauce:

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the butter to the pan, along with the seasoned tidbits. Use a spatula to melt the butter, then add the onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, stir, and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
Add the half-and-half and Parmesan cheese and mix until combined. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the sauce for 5 minutes.

Combine:

Add the pasta, shrimp, and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water, and toss to combine them with the creamy Cajun sauce. Slowly add the remaining pasta water to make it more saucy.
Serve this Cajun shrimp pasta topped with Parmesan cheese.