About
Weeknight dinners shouldn't be stressful; they should be easy... one could even call them Big Easy. Cajun Shrimp Pasta helps take the strain out of whipping up a fantastic meal by being ready in 15 minutes or less! And what a meal it is! The shrimp is sweet and wonderfully accented by the spicy Cajun flavoring, the pasta is creamy and tender, and parmesan cheese always signals a good time! Cajun Shrimp Pasta encourages you to kick back and relax, and you will, from the moment you sit down to the moment your plate is clean.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of penne pasta
- 1 pound raw shrimp, deveined, cleaned, and tails removed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
Directions
Step 1 -Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 2 -Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to the package directions.
Step 3 -Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta.
Step 4 -Combine the shrimp, Cajun seasoning, and olive oil in a bowl.
Step 5 -Heat the large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 6 -Add the butter and allow it to melt.
Step 7 -Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook until golden brown on each side and cooked through at 145 degrees F, about 3-4 minutes per side. Cook in batches to avoid crowding.
Step 8 -Transfer the shrimp to a clean plate.
Step 9 -Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Step 10 -Add the heavy cream to the pan.
Step 11 -Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to incorporate any brown bits.
Step 12 -Allow the cream to bubble and reduce the heat to low.
Step 13 -Stir in the parmesan to melt.
Step 14 -Add the cooked pasta and the shrimp, stirring to coat.
Step 15 -Add the reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time to thin out the sauce, if necessary.
Step 16 -Serve.
