fbpx
August 3, 2020

Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta With Shrimp

Jump to Recipe

A Lily Love Affair shares and easy and delicious Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta recipe.

INSTANT POT CAJUN PASTA

Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta is a tasty one-pot pressure cooker dish 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 in the Instant Pot?  Both hands raised here!  

This Instant Pot Creamy Cajun pasta has become one of the more popular recipes in our house.  It’s an easy and delicious pasta dish 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 creamy pasta with shrimp, homemade Cajun seasoning, 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 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.  How would you make Instant Pot Cajun 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 Pastaand Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna.

//

A Lily Love Affair shares and easy and delicious Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta recipe.

//

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

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

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

//

A Lily Love Affair shares and easy and delicious Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta recipe.

//

WHAT TYPE OF PASTA SHOULD I USE?

What is great about this Instant Pot Creamy Cajun pasta 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.  

TIPS FOR COOKING PASTA IN YOUR INSTANT POT

When cooking Instant Pot recipes with pasta feel free to choose any pasta shell you might prefer.  Regardless of which pasta you choose, be sure to follow the cooking times indicated on the box of your pasta choice.  Whatever the box says – cut it in half and subtract 2 minutes. 

For example, if the box says to cook for 10 minutes, you will cut that in half (5) and subtract 2.  Altogether you would cook for 3 minutes.  

If for any reason you don’t feel as though your pasta is cooked enough, you can always place the lid back on your Instant Pot and pressure cook again for 0 minutes.  That should do the trick!

//

A Lily Love Affair shares and easy and delicious Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta recipe.

//

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO MAKE INSTANT POT CREAMY CAJUN PASTA

What we love most about this Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta is the number of ways 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 

SHOP RECIPE ESSENTIALS

//

A Lily Love Affair shares and easy and delicious Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta recipe.

//

INGREDIENTS FOR INSTANT POT CREAMY CAJUN 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 ounces 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 CREAMY CAJUN PASTA WITH SHRIMP

  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 Instant 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 Instant Pot with tongs and place aside in a large bowl.  
  6. Add heavy cream, cream cheese, and 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 a large bowl with shrimp and set aside.  
  8. Select the ‘cancel’ function to reset the Instant Pot 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 slightly al dente.  If you like yours softer, 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.  
  12. Serve hot and enjoy! 

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 are slightly pink in color.  
  4. Once 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, and 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. 
  6. Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, add to a large bowl with shrimp and set aside.  
  7. In a medium pot over medium heat, bring water with a pinch of salt to boil.  
  8. Add pasta shells and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the pasta has reached your desired pasta softness.
  9. Mix pasta shells, shrimp, and sauce together until well combined.  Add any additional cajun seasoning or salt or pepper to taste.  
  10. Top with additional Parmesan cheese.  Serve hot and enjoy!

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

Print Recipe Pin It!

Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta With Shrimp

4.87 from 15 votes
Delicious cajun shrimp pasta that can be made in the Instant Pot or stove top.
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
  • 1 14.5 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
  • 3 cups chicken broth 
  • 1 pound Mezzi Rigatoni
  • 4 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:

  • 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 Instant 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 Instant 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 Instant Pot 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. 
  • Serve hot and enjoy! 

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 are slightly pink in color.  
  • Once 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 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. 
  • In a medium pot over medium heat, bring water with a pinch of salt to boil. 
  • Add pasta shells and cook for 4-5 minutes or until pasta has reached your desired pasta softness.
  • Mix pasta shells, shrimp and sauce together until well combined.  Add any additional cajun seasoning or salt or pepper to taste. 
  • Top with additional Parmesan cheese.  Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips / Notes:

When cooking Instant Pot recipes with pasta feel free to choose any pasta shell you might prefer.  Regardless of which pasta you choose, be sure to follow the cooking times indicated on the box of your pasta choice.  Whatever the box says - cut it in half and subtract 2 minutes. 
For example, if the box says to cook for 10 minutes, you will cut that in half (5) and subtract 2.  All together you would cook for 3 minutes.  
If for any reason you don't feel as though your pasta is cooked enough, you can always place the lid back on your Instant Pot and pressure cook again for 0 minutes.  That should do the trick!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
WE'D LOVE TO SEE! TAG US @ANNABAUN

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WHAT DID YOU THINK?




  1. 5 stars
    Delicious! and my 2 kids loved it. I even got a text the next day from my son saying how good it was! I’m making it for a second time tonight in the instant pot. I like how the noodles soak up the broth. I use vegetable broth. Does it make a difference to use to use freshly grated parmesan? i used the already grated, powdery cheese.

    • Erika – thank you so much for your comment! I am SO glad you and the kids like it. It’s by far one of our families favorites, too! 🙂 We have used both freshly grated and pre-packaged parmesan cheese. I think shredding my own often mixes better – and can sometimes taste better is you get the really good parmesan cheese. However, our pre-packaged cheese is delicious, too. Enjoy!!

    • Hi Rene! I do not drain the tomatoes, but thank you so much for the question. I can definitely update the instructions to make that more clear. Also, the cajun seasoning recipe is linked in the ingredients section of the site. I hope that helps! If there are ever any other questions, please feel free to let me know at any time!

  2. Made this tonight and it was AMAZING! I’ve never cooked anything and said, “well, this is too much garlic”, so I used 4 cloves, which was about 2 1/2t. Needed to set the IP for another minute for the noodles because they were a bit too dense and there was much remaining broth the first time. Swapped out the shrimp for Andouille sausage due to shellfish allergy, but will make again for family with shrimp and chicken. Thank you for this recipe, it was delicious.

    • Thank you so much Krista! I am so glad you liked it! It’s by far one of our favorites. We also love it with Audouille sausage. Happy New Year!

    • My apologies! Thank you so much for catching! 1 tablespoon, but feel free to use less if you prefer. Ive updated the recipe for you, too. Thanks so much, again! I hope you enjoy!