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December 13, 2020

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta | Delicious & Easy

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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a tasty one-pot dinner recipe everyone in your family will love.  Loaded with rich Cajun seasoning, fresh shrimp, creamy sauce topped with Parmesan cheese – I can almost guarantee they’ll come running for seconds or thirds! 

 

Raise your hand if your family loves pasta?  Both hands raised here!  

Creamy cajun shrimp pasta recipe has become one of the more popular recipes in our house.  It’s a quick and easy dinner recipe that can be made on a busy weeknight or for entertaining guests.  We served recently for a small family get together and received rave reviews.  

This recipe will serve 4-6 people depending on your serving size which makes it a great dish for entertaining a small group.  

We made this shrimp pasta recipe with our homemade Cajun seasoning reicpe and loads of other refresh ingredients.  But, what we love about this comfort food pasta is how versatile it is.  

Does your family prefer Cajun pasta with sausage over shrimp?  Feel free to replace!  We love adding or replacing with smoked sausage or Andouille sausage.  Or, maybe you’d like to add some veggies, too?  We suggest mushrooms, bell peppers, green onions and more!  

Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite alternative ingredients.  

Have an Instant Pot?  We’re including directions below on how to make Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta, too!  

How would you make Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta?  Share with us in the comments below!

If you love pasta dishes, you have to try Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken PastaInstant Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta and Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna.

 

 

 

We chose to make this Cajun pasta with shrimp dish with homemade Cajun seasoning recipe over pre-packaged seasoning as we find it has less sodium and artifical ingredients. 

However, feel free to use a pre-packaged seasoning, if prefered. The benefit of choosing a homemade seasoning recipe is you can also adjust the ingredients to your families liking.  Our family loves food with a good ‘kick’ so this easy recipe was right up our alley.  

Regardless, this easy dinner recipe is almost guaranteed to turn out great!  I also find that the cream sauce, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and cream cheese cool of some of the heat.  If you prefer this pasta dish with less cream, feel free to decrease the heavy whipping cream or cream cheese.  

 

WHAT TYPE OF PASTA SHOULD I USE?

What is great about this cajun shrimp pasta recipe is you can use any pasta of your choosing.  However, with a creamy pasta such as this, we love to use pasta shells that hold on to the cream sauce well.  Pasta shells such as penne pasta, fettuccini, rigatoni and more are our favorites. 

When cooking pasta in your pressure cooker, be sure to follow the tip before for cooking time.  

 

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO MAKE CREAMY CAJUN PASTA

What we love most about this cajun shrimp pasta is the number of ways to you make this easy dinner dish.  While we included fire roasted diced tomatoes, homemade Cajun seasoning, and delicious jumbo shrimp, there are so many alternative ingredients to add.  Here are just a few of our family loved favorites: 

  • Red bell peppers 
  • Green bell peppers
  • Andouille sausage 
  • Smoked sausage 
  • Grilled Cajun chicken 
  • Mushrooms 
  • Broccoli 
  • Green onions 

 

CAN I USE FROZEN SHRIMP? 

You most certainly can!  However, I would recommend thawing the shrimp before cooking in this pasta dish.  To thaw, I typically place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator over night.  

 

HOW SPICY IS CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA? 

This is by far one of the most frequently asked questions we receive.  As we mentioned above, what we love most about this creamy cajun shrimp pasta recipe is you can completely adjust the seasoning to meet your flavor profile. 

Similarly, the reason we love to use our homemade cajun seasoning recipe is so we can make the seasoning as hot or mild as we might like. 

I would recommend slowly adding the seasoning until you can have reached your desired level of heat.  

 

HOW TO STORE CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA

Store your cajun shrimp pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

 

CAN I REHEAT CAJUN PASTA?

You most certain can!  In fact, we think this pasta recipe is just as good, if not better, the days following as leftovers.  

For individualized portions, place the desired amount on a plate or in a bowl and place in the micorwave for 1 minute.  After the 1 minute has expired, remove from the microwave, stir the contents and place back back in for an additional 30 seconds or until you have reached your desired temperature.  If for any reason you want to add more ‘sauce’, add a splash of water or chicken broth when heating. 

If you plan to reheat a larger portion, place the pasta in a large skillet or pan over medium to low heat on the stove.  Again, you will want to add a splash of water of chicken broth stiring the pasta and shrimp regularly.  Heat on medium to low heat until you have reached your desired temperature.  

 

 

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INGREDIENTS FOR CREAMY CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA

  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped 
  • 3 cups chicken broth 
  • 1 pound Mezzi Rigatoni
  • 1 14.5 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes, juices drained
  • 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (you can use prepackaged Cajun seasoning, if needed)
  • 1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese 
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 
  • 4 ounces cream cheese 
  • Pinch of salt to taste 

 

HOW TO MAKE CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA 

STOVE TOP: 

  1. In a large pan over medium heat, add olive oil onions.  Saute until onions are soft, about 3 minutes.  
  2. Add garlic. Continue to saute for an additional 2 minutes. 
  3. Toss shrimp in cajun seasoning until coated evenly.  Place shrimp into your pan and saute for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp is cooked and slightly pink in color.  
  4. Once the cooked shrimp are slightly pink in color, remove from the pan with tongs and place aside in a large bowl.  
  5. Add heavy cream, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and stir so all ingredients in the pan are mixed together well.  Saute until thickened, about 10 minutes. NOTE: do not clean out the pot.  You will want all the Cajun goodness to cook into the sauce. 
  6. Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, add to large bowl with shrimp and set aside.  
  7. In a medium pot over medium heat, bring salted water to boil.
  8. Add pasta shells and cook according to package instructions.  Drain when ready.  
  9. Mix pasta shells, shrimp and sauce together until well combined.  Add any additional cajun seasoning or salt and pepper to taste.  
  10. Top with additional Parmesan cheese.  Serve hot and enjoy!

 

INSTANT POT: 

  1. Turn on your Instant Pot and select the Saute mode on high. 
  2. Add olive oil, roasted red diced tomatoes and onions.  Saute until onions are soft, about 3 minutes.  
  3. Add garlic. Continue to saute for an additional 2 minutes. 
  4. Toss shrimp in cajun seasoning until coated evenly.  Place shrimp into the pot and saute for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp are slightly pink in color.  
  5. Once shrimp are slightly pink in color, remove from the pot with tongs and place aside in a large bowl.  
  6. Add heavy cream, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and stir so all ingredients in the Pot are mixed together well.  Saute until thickened, about 10 minutes. NOTE: do not clean out the pot.  You will want all the Cajun goodness to cook into the sauce. 
  7. Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, add to large bowl with shrimp and set aside.  
  8. Select the ‘cancel’ function to reset the cooking function.  Select ‘Pressure Cook’ on high.  
  9. Add pasta shells and chicken broth.  Stir until mixed well.  Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes.  NOTE: we like our pasta very slighly al dente.  If you like yours more soft, you may want to cook for 4 minutes.  
  10. Once the timer beeps, quick release all pressure.  Carefully remove the lid.  
  11. Add shrimp and sauce to the pasta and mix until all ingredients are well combined.  Taste and add any additional salt and pepper, as needed.  
  12. Serve hot and enjoy! 

 

LOOKING FOR OTHER DELICIOUS RECIPES?  HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR FAVORITES:

 

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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta | Delicious & Easy

5 from 3 votes
Creamy cajun shrimp pasta made with homemade cajun seasoning and fresh shrimp.
SERVES/MAKES: 6 people
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cups chicken broth 
  • 1 pound Mezzi Rigatoni
  • 1 14.5 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes, juices drained
  • 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (you can use prepackaged Cajun seasoning, if needed)
  • 1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 
  • 4 ounces cream cheese 
  • Pinch of salt to taste 

Instructions:

STOVE TOP: 

  • In a large pan over medium heat, add olive oil onions.  Saute until onions are soft, about 3 minutes.
  • Add garlic. Continue to saute for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Toss shrimp in cajun seasoning until coated evenly.  Place shrimp into your pan and saute for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp is cooked and slightly pink in color.  
  • Once the cooked shrimp are slightly pink in color, remove from the pan with tongs and place aside in a large bowl.
  • Add heavy cream, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and stir so all ingredients in the pan are mixed together well.  Saute until thickened, about 10 minutes. NOTE: do not clean out the pot.  You will want all the Cajun goodness to cook into the sauce. 
  • Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, add to large bowl with shrimp and set aside.  
  • In a medium pot over medium heat, bring salted water to boil.
  • Add pasta shells and cook according to package instructions.  Drain when ready.  
  • Mix pasta shells, shrimp and sauce together until well combined.  Add any additional cajun seasoning or salt and pepper to taste. 
  • Top with additional Parmesan cheese.  Serve hot and enjoy!

INSTANT POT: 

  • Turn on your Instant Pot and select the Saute mode on high. 
  • Add olive oil, roasted red diced tomatoes and onions.  Saute until onions are soft, about 3 minutes.  
  • Add garlic. Continue to saute for an additional 2 minutes. 
  • Toss shrimp in cajun seasoning until coated evenly.  Place shrimp into the pot and saute for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp are slightly pink in color. 
  • Once shrimp are slightly pink in color, remove from the pot with tongs and place aside in a large bowl. 
  • Add heavy cream, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and stir so all ingredients in the Pot are mixed together well.  Saute until thickened, about 10 minutes. NOTE: do not clean out the pot.  You will want all the Cajun goodness to cook into the sauce.
  • Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, add to large bowl with shrimp and set aside. 
  • Select the ‘cancel’ function to reset the cooking function.  Select ‘Pressure Cook’ on high.
  • Add pasta shells and chicken broth.  Stir until mixed well.  Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes.  NOTE: we like our pasta very slighly al dente.  If you like yours more soft, you may want to cook for 4 minutes.  
  • Once the timer beeps, quick release all pressure.  Carefully remove the lid.
  • Add shrimp and sauce to the pasta and mix until all ingredients are well combined.  Taste and add any additional salt and pepper, as needed. 
  • Serve hot and enjoy! 

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