Description
A fast, spicy, and rich weeknight dinner featuring seared shrimp, blistered cherry tomatoes, and a velvety Cajun cream sauce tossed with pasta. Ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound (450g) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 1 pint (170g) cherry tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 4 ounces (115g) block cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Mince garlic, chop parsley, and cube cream cheese.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Toss pasta with a little olive oil.
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with half the Cajun seasoning and sear for 2 minutes per side until pink. Remove shrimp to a plate.
- Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until blistered. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and add cream cheese cubes. Stir until melted and smooth. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if too thick.
- Return shrimp and any juices to the skillet. Add drained pasta, remaining Cajun seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine.
- Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Ensure shrimp are completely dry before searing to prevent steaming. Use block cream cheese and grate your own Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Save pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 680
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 34
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: creamy cajun shrimp pasta, easy weeknight dinner, 20 minute meals, shrimp pasta, cajun recipe, one pan dinner