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Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade Rich Tomato Sauce

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A creamy Cajun shrimp pasta with a rich tomato sauce that balances bold, smoky flavors and a gentle spicy kick, perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small red or green bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 1 can (28 oz / 800g) crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
  • ¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 12 ounces (340g) linguine or fettuccine pasta

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340g) of linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Reserve ½ cup (120ml) pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450g) of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Once melted, add minced garlic, finely chopped onion, and diced bell pepper (optional). Cook 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  5. Stir in remaining Cajun seasoning (1 teaspoon), smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme. Cook for 1 minute to toast spices gently.
  6. Pour in crushed tomatoes. Stir well, bring to a simmer, and let cook for 10 minutes to thicken slightly, stirring occasionally.
  7. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce is creamy and well combined. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
  8. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet, simmer 2 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
  9. Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing well to coat. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency.
  10. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear and avoid steaming. Toast spices gently in oil to bring out deeper flavor. Simmer tomatoes before adding cream to avoid watery sauce. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture.

Nutrition

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