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    Urban Bliss Life » All Recipes » Seafood Recipes » Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

    Published: May 7, 2022 / Updated: February 20, 2025 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

    37 shares
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Cajun Shrimp Pasta with title text overlay
    Cajun Shrimp Pasta with title text overlay
    Cajun Shrimp Pasta with title text overlay

    Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a hearty, oh so satisfying seafood pasta dish that is simple yet packed with so much flavor. It's also an easy pasta recipe that you can make in under 30 minutes. The perfect dinner dish for busy weeknights!

    bowls of Cajun Shrimp Pasta

    I must confess to you that this easy Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe is one of my personal FAVORITE pasta dishes of all time.

    It's a huge hit in my house! It's packed with a flavorful Cajun creamy sauce and succulent shrimp, and yet it is both light and hearty.

    It's simply AMAZING, and always has me going back for seconds. In fact, I love it so much, I shared it in one of my monthly KATU-TV/ABC AfternoonLive segments!

    Click the image below to watch my TV segment online.

    As Seen On ABC's AfternoonLive graphic with photos of Marlynn and the dish.
    Jump to:
    • 🍤 A hearty, flavorful cajun shrimp pasta
    • 👩🏽‍🍳 Recipe ingredients
    • ✅ Step-by-step instructions
    • 💡Recipe FAQs
    • 🥣 Kitchen tools and equipment
    • 🍽 What to serve with Cajun shrimp pasta
    • 🍷 Best wine pairings for cajun pasta
    • More Southern cooking recipes you might like
    • Cajun Shrimp Pasta

    🍤 A hearty, flavorful cajun shrimp pasta

    closeup of Cajun Shrimp Pasta

    I just love the big flavors of Cajun cooking. A lot of people misunderstand it, and assume Cajun food is spicy. Not true!

    One of the best things about making Cajun food at home is that you can adjust the spice levels to your tastebuds. I always keep a jar of homemade Cajun seasoning in my spice drawer, which I make somewhat mild because our family isn't big on super spicy food. But there's just enough kick to really make this dish sing!

    If you enjoy this recipe, you also might like to try my Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe. Or other seafood pasta recipes like my Pasta with Clams and White Wine Sauce, Crab Pasta, or Tuna Pasta with Capers and White Wine Sauce.

    👩🏽‍🍳 Recipe ingredients

    ingredients to make Cajun Shrimp Pasta
    • Olive oil & Garlic - The flavor foundation of this delectable dish is the garlic sautéed in olive oil
    • Deveined Shrimp - Use raw large shrimp that is peeled and deveined, and if frozen, thaw it completely before cooking. If you're in Oregon or Washington, check out Newmans Fish Market. I used their wild shrimp for this recipe. The plump, juicy shrimp is some of the best I've cooked with. It's so good!
    • In a pinch, you could use frozen previously cooked shrimp that is thawed, but make sure you watch the cooking carefully and adjust as needed.
    • Cajun seasoning - You can either make your own homemade Cajun seasoning (my Cajun seasoning recipe is so fast and easy!). Or, you can buy Cajun seasoning at your local grocery store.
    • Pasta - Thick, long noodles such as linguine, pappardelle, and fettuccine work really well for this creamy seafood pasta dish. But penne pasta also works well, as does rotini, fussili, or rigatoni.
    • Butter - Some unsalted butter adds to the luxuriousness of this dish.
    • Cream - I always make this recipe using my favorite lactose free heavy cream. However, you can use any heavy cream or even half and half.
    • Parmesan cheese - I use dairy-free grated parmesan, but you can use regular parmesan cheese. You can also substitute nutritional yeast for the same nutty flavor that parmesan cheese brings.
    • Tomatoes - Use Roma tomatoes, or whatever tomatoes you have on hand.
    • Lemon Juice - Add a squeeze of lemon juice to finish the pasta.
    • OPTIONAL - Garnish with chopped parsley, if you like.

    ✅ Step-by-step instructions

    Here are some step-by-step photos to help you make this delicious Cajun shrimp pasta recipe. You'll find the full list of ingredients with measurements, plus more detailed cooking instructions, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    First, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Meanwhile, make the shrimp and sauce.

    raw shrimp
    seasoned raw shrimp

    Peel and devein the shrimp, if needed. Pat the shrimp dry, then season with kosher salt and pepper.

    cooking shrimp in pan
    adding garlic to shrimp in the pan

    Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 - 2 minutes, turning over to just start to get a little bit of color on each side. Shrimp cooks very quickly, so take care to NOT fully cook the shrimp yet!

    Add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.

    adding butter to cajun shrimp pasta in the pan
    adding cream to the cajun shrimp pasta in the pan

    Slowly pour in the cream, then add the butter and parmigiano reggiano cheese. Stir together just until the cheese melts.

    adding cajun seasoning to shrimp
    finishing Cajun Shrimp Pasta in the pan

    Turn off the heat.

    Drain the cooked pasta, and add the pasta to the skillet.

    Sprinkle in the cajun seasoning, tomatoes, and parsley.

    closeup of Cajun Shrimp Pasta

    Toss all of the ingredients together well, until the pasta is well coated.

    Squeeze fresh lemon juice over just before serving.

    Enjoy!

    💡Recipe FAQs

    bowls of Cajun Shrimp Pasta
    What's the difference between Cajun and Creole cooking?

    Cajun cooking is considered to be more rustic, home comfort cooking. Whereas, Creole cuisine tends to be considered city cuisine that's a blend of culinary influences from Africa, Germany, and Italy.

    What is in Cajun seasoning and Cajun cream sauce?

    Typically, Cajun seasoning contains spices and herbs like paprika, cayene, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, thyme, oregano, salt, and red pepper flakes. Making your own homemade Cajun seasoning is easy! Our recipe also goes over the difference between Cajun and Creole seasoning.

    What's the best way to store cajun shrimp pasta leftovers?

    Allow the pasta and seafood to cool completely. Then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

    🥣 Kitchen tools and equipment

    For this recipe, you just need a few basic kitchen tools:

    • Cutting board and knife - You'll need a sturdy cutting board and sharp knife.
    • Large pot - You'll need a large pot to cook the pasta in.
    • Large skillet - Use a large skillet to make the cream. A large skillet with high sides is preferable, since you'll be adding the pasta to the pan.

    🍽 What to serve with Cajun shrimp pasta

    bowls of Cajun Shrimp Pasta

    This is an amazing seafood pasta recipe that you can add a simple green salad too and call it a full, satisfying meal.

    You can also balance out the richness of this shrimp pasta with light side dishes. This simple Cucumber Tomato Salad would be a great companion.

    Or make this Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread or Garlic Parmesan Knots. You could also make this Classic Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Vinegar recipe, which would be delightful with the pasta.

    🍷 Best wine pairings for cajun pasta

    Cajun Shrimp Pasta with glass of white wine

    This Cajun Shrimp Pasta dish is so versatile, that you can enjoy it with either a white or a red wine. In fact, enjoy it with a glass of Rosé, too!

    bowls of Cajun Shrimp Pasta with glass of white wine

    If you are in the mood for a white wine, pair this seafood pasta with a Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Riesling. These white wines help bring out the spices of the dish.

    Choose a lighter red wine such as a Pinot Noir or a Gamay if you're in the mood for red. These wines will enhance the seafood flavors of this pasta.

    More Southern cooking recipes you might like

    If you like this recipe, try one of these delicious flavorful recipes too!

    • homemade cajun seasoning
      Homemade Cajun Seasoning
    • bowl of seafood jambalaya
      Seafood Jambalaya (Ninja Foodi)
    • bowls of Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta with greenery
      Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
    • closeup of New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp and scallops
      One Pan New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp and Scallops

    Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

    cajun shrimp pasta with herbs in a white bowl.

    Cajun Shrimp Pasta

    5 from 8 votes
    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
    Total Time: 30 minutes mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    A hearty, flavorful, and satisfying seafood pasta!
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 522kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE 🤍 SAVESaved!

    Equipment

    • Large Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces linguine or other pasta shape
    • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
    • 5 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
    • ¼ cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
    • ¼ cup Cajun seasoning
    • 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, make the shrimp and sauce.
    • Pat the shrimp dry, then season with salt and pepper.
    • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 - 2 minutes, turning over to just start to get some color on each side.
    • Add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
    • Slowly pour in the cream, then add the butter and parmigiano reggiano cheese. Stir together just until the cheese melts.
    • Turn off the heat. Drain the pasta, and add the pasta to the skillet. Sprinkle in the cajun seasoning, tomatoes, and parsley. Toss together until the pasta is well coated. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over just before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    Cajun seasoning: Use ¼ cup of homemade cajun seasoning recipe, or use your favorite store-bought cajun seasoning. 
    Make it dairy free: Use dairy-free heavy cream or dairy-free half and half, if you can find it, or you can use coconut cream or coconut milk. 
    Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe, airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, add a bit of milk or olive oil to "wake up" the sauce, and reheat in a skillet over medium heat on the stove. 
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 538mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3178IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

    « Homemade Cajun Seasoning
    Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp »
    37 shares

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Sara says

        May 12, 2022 at 5:19 pm

        5 stars
        SO much flavor in this and I LOVE how easy it was to make! Thanks for the great recipe.

        Reply
      2. Jamie says

        May 12, 2022 at 5:10 pm

        5 stars
        This is such a satisfying and flavorful cajun pasta dish! My whole family loved it!

        Reply
      3. Tavo says

        May 12, 2022 at 3:54 pm

        5 stars
        DE-LI-CI-OUS. I hadn't tried cajun seasoning with pasta before! Great finding! Definitely making it again!

        Reply
      4. Anita says

        May 12, 2022 at 3:51 pm

        5 stars
        Perfect weeknight dinner. This is better than our family's favorite shrimp pasta.

        Reply
      5. Gwynn says

        May 12, 2022 at 3:22 pm

        5 stars
        This recipe is so easy to make and so delicious and creamy too. I love the combination of flavors!

        Reply
      6. Tara says

        May 12, 2022 at 2:31 pm

        5 stars
        Such a fantastic weeknight meal packed with spice! I love how everything comes together in under 30 minutes. SO much flavor!

        Reply
      5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! If you're looking for easy, fast, delicious family-friendly recipes, wine pairings, and travel tips, you've come to the right place! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

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