Description
A creamy, spicy Cajun shrimp pasta made with grilled shrimp for a smoky char, ready in just 20 minutes. This weeknight dinner balances rich flavors with quick preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) jumbo shrimp (21–25 count per lb), raw, peeled, and deveined
- 12 oz (340g) linguine or fettuccine
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 3 tbsp (42g) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced (plus 2 whole cloves for grilling)
- ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 stalks green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pasta water (reserved from boiling)
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry and toss with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tbsp olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F / 200°C) and oil the grates thoroughly.
- Thread shrimp onto skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak in water first) and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and pink. Remove and set aside.
- While shrimp grills, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Before draining, reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and remaining 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Gently fold in grilled shrimp.
- Serve immediately, topped with sliced green onions.
Notes
Do not overcook the shrimp as they will become rubbery. Save the starchy pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. For extra smokiness, grill two unpeeled garlic cloves with the shrimp and squeeze them into the sauce. If you don’t have a grill, cook the shrimp in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, grilled shrimp, creamy pasta, quick dinner, 20 minute meals, weeknight dinner, spicy shrimp, pasta recipes