Cajun Shrimp Pasta

This is a quick and easy dinner recipe with just the right amount of kick! Tender whole shrimp smothered in a quick and easy spicy cream sauce with just the right amount of perfectly cooked pasta. YUM!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes 

Servings: 6 servings 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pound raw shrimp deveined, cleaned, tail removed
• 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Add salt to a pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente doneness. Before draining, scoop out at least 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain pasta and set aside.
• While the pasta is cooking, cook the shrimp and sauce. Combine shrimp with cajun seasoning and olive oil in a bowl. Toss to combine.
• Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and melt. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook until golden brown on each side, turning only once. You may have to cook shrimp in two batches to allow enough room. Once done cooking, transfer cooked shrimp to a clean plate and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Add heavy cream to pan and scrape bottoms to release any food that is stuck to the bottom. Allow the cream to bubble. Reduce heat to low and stir in parmesan cheese to melt. Add cooked pasta and shrimp and stir to coat. If the sauce needs to be thinned, add pasta water, one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved.

Credit to selfproclaimedfoodie