Description
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Shell Pasta is a delightful twist on classic comfort food—spicy, creamy, and utterly satisfying! This dish combines succulent shrimp with a rich and zesty sauce, enveloping perfectly cooked shell pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Shell Pasta
- 8 ounces shell pasta
Shrimp
- 1 pound fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Heavy Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
Garlic
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the shell pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Remember to reserve a cup of pasta water before draining!
- Sauté the Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp, seasoned with Cajun spices, and cook until they turn pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the shrimp and set them aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked shell pasta and shrimp back into the skillet, tossing everything to coat in the creamy sauce. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Make sure to cook your pasta al dente to maintain its texture when combined with the sauce.
- Use the freshest shrimp you can find for the best flavor and texture.
- This starchy water is key to making your sauce creamy and helps it cling to the pasta.
- Feel free to taste and adjust the seasoning in the sauce to suit your palate.
- Fresh herbs or an extra sprinkle of cheese can elevate your dish and make it look restaurant-worthy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 200mg
Keywords: Cajun, Shrimp, Pasta, Creamy, Comfort Food