Cajun Shrimp Pasta is an easy pasta dinner made in 30 minutes or less! This creamy fettuccine pasta recipe is irresistible and packed with cajun flavor.

Cajun shrimp pasta in a pan with lemons and parsley

Ashley from Spoonful of Flavor here to bring you this creamy cajun shrimp pasta. Pasta is the perfect comfort food and this easy pasta dinner is packed with flavor too. A few simple ingredients combine to create an easy 30 minute meal. If you love the flavors in this dish, then you will also love this One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta or Cajun Garlic Baked Salmon.

Learn how to make cajun shrimp pasta with this quick and easy recipe.

How to make cajun shrimp pasta:

  • This recipe comes together easily. The first step is to cook your linguine noodles in a large pot until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • While the pasta is cooking, prepare the shrimp and sauce. Season the shrimp with olive oil and cajun seasoning. Cook the shrimp until opaque on both sides, then transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate.
  • In the same pan, make the sauce by combining butter, garlic, heavy cream, lemon zest and Parmesan cheese. Constantly whisk and cook until the sauce thickens.
  • Reserve some of the water from the cooked pasta. Add the water to the sauce if you want a thinner sauce.
  • Then, add the pasta noodles to the pan with the sauce. Stir to coat the noodles. Now you are ready to serve the noodles with the cooked shrimp.

Easy cajun shrimp pasta made in a skillet

What to serve with shrimp pasta:

  1. Shrimp pasta makes a great dinner on its own. The pasta is hearty and filling.
  2. Serve it with lemon wedges and freshly chopped parsley for additional freshness and flavor.
  3. A simple side salad or Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower are the perfect addition to this meal!
  4. For extra carbs serve this pasta with some fresh bread and butter.

A large bowl of cajun shrimp pasta with a fork.

Enjoy!

Cajun shrimp pasta in a pan with lemons and parsley
Pin Print
5 from 3 votes

Cajun Shrimp Pasta

By Nichole
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 8 ounces linguine pasta
  • 1 pound large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Lemon wedges for serving
  • Parsley for garnish

Instructions 

  • Bring a large pot of slightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • While the pasta is cooking, in a large bowl, combine the shrimp with olive oil and cajun seasoning; toss to combine.
  • Heat a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook 3 to 5 minutes, flipping once, until opaque on each side. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and repeat with the remaining shrimp.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and melt butter. Add garlic and allow it to brown for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and lemon zest. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until incorporated. Stir in the Parmesan and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly thickened. Stir in a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water if you want a thicker sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as desired.
  • Add the pasta to the pan with the sauce and stir to combine. Serve immediately topped with the shrimp, lemon wedges and parsley, for garnish.

Notes

NOTE: If desired, you can make your own Cajun seasoning by combining the following spices:  1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, one pinch red chili flakes.  
NOTE: You can adjust the amount of cajun seasoning depending on your taste. Use 2 teaspoons for less cajun flavor or 4 to 5 teaspoons for more cajun flavor.
NOTE: You can use any kind of pasta noodles for this recipe. However, long noodles like spaghetti, fettuccine and linguine work the best. 

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Like this? Rate & review this recipe below!

 

Hey! Nice to meet you! I'm Nichole!

Welcome to The Salty Marshmallow! I'm a mom, animal lover, photographer, & kitchen mess-maker. Here you will find the result of my decades-long passion for chasing the best flavors in the kitchen, all meant to be cooked by regular people with busy lives just like you and me.

More about me

Related Recipes

Rate & Review!

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

Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  2. Important Question:
    When you shared ingredients for how to make homemade cajun seasoning it says “11 teaspoon paprika” Is it a typo? I am unsure if that really mean eleven teaspoon”s” or if it is one one teaspoon and the “1” accidentally typed twice. Please, will you tell me, which is it?

    Reply

  4. Love your recipe! I want to make this for my friends but they can’t have cajon//hot spices. Any suggestion for a substitute spice?
    Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hi Peggy! I’ve added this note to the recipe card on how to make your own Cajun seasoning. In your case, you can make the seasoning and leave out the cayenne and red pepper flakes so that it won’t be spicy. It won’t have much of a Cajun flavor, but will still be delicious! Hope this helps! NOTE: If desired, you can make your own Cajun seasoning by combining the following spices: 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, one pinch red chili flakes.

      Reply

      1. Love your recipe! I want to make this for my friends but they can’t have cajon//hot spices. Any suggestion for a substitute spice?
        Thank you!

        Thanks for the reply Nicole! I will try your suggestion.
        Peggy