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Cajun shrimp pasta

Cajun shrimp pasta is a creamy, spiced pasta dish with shrimp, bell pepper and parmesan. It serves 4, takes 30 minutes, is easy to make, and costs about €4.40 per person. The key is cooking the shrimp quickly, searing them for two minutes then warming them through in the sauce so they stay tender.

Tonight we're heading to Louisiana with Cajun shrimp pasta, a creamy spiced sauce and peppers with just the right amount of crunch.

Cajun shrimp pasta
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€4.40
Calories per person
610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Here, cream meets Cajun spices for a sauce with real character, carried by paprika, oregano and a touch of cayenne pepper. The red bell pepper keeps some bite, the onion softens gently, and the shrimp bring a briny flavor that's a nice change from everyday pasta. Parmesan rounds everything out and helps the sauce cling to the penne.

This is a weeknight dish that needs almost no advance work, perfect for when you want to break away from the usual spaghetti bolognese without spending the whole evening cooking. Kids generally enjoy the milder version if you cut back on the cayenne, while adults can spice up their own plate with a bit more heat. It's also a solid choice for a casual dinner with friends.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Peeled shrimp 400 g

Pantry

  • Penneoften in the pantry 320 g
  • Paprikaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Oreganooften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Cayenne pepperoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Heavy cream 25 cl
  • Grated parmesan 40 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Red bell pepper 1
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Scallion 2 sprigs

Allergens Shellfish, Gluten, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Mix the paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt and one minced garlic clove, then toss the shrimp in it.

    Make a big jar of the Cajun spice mix, it keeps for months.

  2. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water, save a cup of the cooking water and drain. 10 min

    Save the water, its starch helps bind the sauce.

  3. Sear the shrimp in hot oil for two minutes, then set them aside. 2 min

    They should be just pink, they'll finish cooking later.

  4. In the same pan, cook the onion, bell pepper and remaining garlic, then add the cream and parmesan and let it thicken. 8 min

    Stir and scrape up the browned bits from the shrimp, that's free flavor.

  5. Add the shrimp and pasta back into the sauce, stir in a little of the cooking water and sprinkle with scallion. 2 min

    Add the water in small amounts for a sauce that coats without drowning the pasta.

Our tips to get it right

  • Peel the shrimp thoroughly and remove the dark vein if needed, it can leave a bitter taste in the sauce.
  • Heat the pan well before adding the shrimp, a pan that isn't hot enough will steam them instead of searing them.
  • Taste the sauce before adding salt, the parmesan and the Cajun spice mix already season the dish quite a bit.

The variations

  • Swap the shrimp for diced chicken, seared the same way but cooked a bit longer.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the shrimp with mushrooms or chickpeas, seared in the spiced oil.
  • For a quicker version, use a ready made Cajun seasoning blend instead of measuring out each spice.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with lemon
  • Crusty bread for the sauce
  • Homemade iced tea

Storage

This dish keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Freezing isn't ideal, the creamy sauce and shrimp lose texture once thawed. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or milk to bring the sauce back together.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the Cajun spice mix ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix the paprika, oregano and cayenne in a larger batch and keep it in a sealed jar for months. It's a handy way to save time on busy nights.

Can you use a different pasta shape instead of penne?

Yes, any short pasta works well, like fusilli or rigatoni. Just keep a cup of the pasta cooking water, it helps the sauce coat the pasta properly.

How do you make this dish kid friendly?

Cut back on or skip the cayenne pepper in the spice mix, the paprika and oregano still give the shrimp plenty of flavor. You can also serve a milder sauce and let adults add extra heat on their own plate.

How do you keep the shrimp from turning rubbery?

Sear the shrimp for only two minutes over high heat, just until they turn pink, then take them out of the pan. They finish cooking gently once you add them back into the hot sauce.

How long does it take to make a Cajun shrimp pasta?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Cajun shrimp pasta?

About 610 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Cajun shrimp pasta cost?

About €4.40 per serving, or €17.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains shellfish, gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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