Description
A creamy and spicy pasta dish featuring tender shrimp coated in Cajun seasoning, tossed with a rich, garlicky sauce, and served over fettuccine. This flavorful meal comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup diced roasted red peppers (from a jar)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. -
Season the Shrimp
In a bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 to 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. -
Sauté the Shrimp
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 2 minutes per side until opaque and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside. -
Prepare the Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and diced roasted red peppers; cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. -
Build the Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes to slightly thicken. -
Add Cream and Cheese
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency. -
Combine Pasta and Shrimp
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, along with the drained fettuccine. Toss everything together until the pasta and shrimp are well coated with the sauce. -
Season and Serve
Add the lemon juice and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pasta Choice: Fettuccine or linguine work best for holding the creamy sauce, but penne or other pasta shapes can also be used.
- Adjusting Spice Level: Modify the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your heat preference. For a milder dish, use less seasoning; for more spice, add extra.
- Cream Substitute: For a lighter version, half-and-half can replace heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Cheese Tip: Use freshly grated Parmesan for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cups
- Calories: ~500 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 220mg