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Cajun Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and flavorful Cajun shrimp pasta dish, perfect for busy weeknights. Bursting with spices and creamy sauce, it will take your tastebuds on a culinary adventure!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1–2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 small Shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 Mini bell pepper, sliced thin
  • 80g Pasta
  • 8–10 Shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Pinch of Salt and pepper
  • ½ tsp Cajun seasoning for shrimp
  • ¼ tsp Cajun seasoning for sauce
  • 1 tbsp Cooking spray or olive oil
  • ¼ tsp Smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp Cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
  • ¼ tsp Dried parsley
  • ¼ tsp Chili flakes, optional
  • ⅓ to ½ cup Half and half cream
  • ½ cup Pasta water, added gradually

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Begin by boiling a pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside!
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of cooking spray or olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped shallot. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  3. Add the bell pepper: Toss in the sliced mini bell pepper and sauté for another 3-4 minutes until softened.
  4. Season the shrimp: In a bowl, season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and ½ tsp of Cajun seasoning. Toss until evenly coated.
  5. Cook the shrimp: Push the veggies to one side of the skillet and add the shrimp to the other side. Allow them to cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until they start to turn pink.
  6. Combine it all: Once the shrimp are turning pink, mix them with the bell pepper mixture, and add the smoked paprika and the extra Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine.
  7. Create the sauce: Pour in the half and half cream, stirring to combine everything. Gradually add the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Finish it up: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until well combined. Finish with a sprinkle of dried parsley, chili flakes, and adjust any seasonings to taste.
  9. Serve it right: Remove from heat and let it rest for a minute before plating.

Notes

For extra flavor, a splash of lemon juice can brighten the dish. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables and proteins!

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, quick dinner, creamy pasta, Cajun cuisine, flavorful pasta

Find it online: https://pureproteinbites.com/cajun-shrimp-pasta/