Print

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade with Bell Peppers

creamy cajun shrimp pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting and flavorful creamy Cajun shrimp pasta with bell peppers, combining smoky spices, tender shrimp, and a rich sauce that clings to fettuccine. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 1 cup mixed red, yellow, and green bell peppers, thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of fettuccine and cook according to package instructions (usually 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound shrimp dry and season with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Slice 1 cup mixed bell peppers and finely chop 1 small onion and 3 garlic cloves.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
  4. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Toss in onion and bell peppers, cooking 4-5 minutes until softened but still bright. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  6. Return shrimp to the skillet and stir to coat with sauce. Add cooked pasta and toss gently until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra Cajun spice, salt, or pepper if needed.
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

Use fresh shrimp for best texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Toast Cajun seasoning briefly in oil for enhanced flavor. Avoid overcrowding shrimp when cooking to keep them tender. Use fresh grated Parmesan for a silky sauce. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, bell peppers pasta, easy shrimp recipe, Cajun seasoning, seafood pasta, quick dinner, spicy pasta

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/creamy-cajun-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-with-bell-peppers/