How to make the best Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta
Fettuccine Pasta loaded with flavorful juicy and crispy shrimps seasoned with Cajun seasoning and cooked in creamy sauce, topped with parmesan cheese for added flavor. This is a creamy and cheesy pasta that will leave you coming back for more.
There is no better way to surprise your partner than with a delicious Cajun shrimp fettuccine pasta topped with parmesan for added flavor. Full of delicious and savory flavors, this Cajun shrimp fettuccine pasta is perfect for busy weeknights.
In less than an hour, you’ll have a hearty and delicious meal that the whole family will love. You can serve this delicious pasta as a main course or as a side dish. Surprising Part: The meal will be finished in no time.
What is Cajun Shrimp Fettucine Pasta
A delicious meal made with shrimp, fettuccine pasta cooked in a creamy sauce and served with parmesan cheese and dry parsley on the top. What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to make this restaurant-style shrimp pasta at home with simple ingredients from your pantry. It turned out delicious every time.
The creamy sauce is made with butter, shallot, flour, heavy cream, and pasta water and seasoned with Cajun seasoning. The sauce is made from scratch, and you’ll not need any fancy jarred sauces to make this delicious pasta at home.
The creamy sauce perfectly complements the shrimp, creating a dish that is bursting with flavors. I love to serve shrimp fettuccine pasta with parmesan and dry parsley to give it a flavorful twist. The parmesan adds an extra layer of flavor without overpowering the dish. This a recipe every shrimp lover should keep in their arsenal!
What You’ll need to make this shrimp pasta recipe
- Shrimp – Use peeled and deveined shrimp with the tails removed.
- Cajun seasoning – Add Cajun seasoning for a savory, flavorful pasta with a spicy kick.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter, as the recipe includes salt.
- Oil – use vegetable oil or extra virgin olive oil.
- Minced garlic –Use chopped garlic or use garlic paste from a jar.
- Flour – Any all-purpose flour
- Milk –For a thick and creamy consistency, use milk with high-fat content.
- Fettuccine noodles – You can use spaghetti or any other noodles/pasta.
- Shallot – has a sweet and more subtle flavor than red onion
- Pasta water – Reserve pasta water when you drain the pasta to use it later to prepare the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese – I prefer freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Salt & Pepper –Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Parsley –I have used dried parsley in this recipe. You can use dried or skip it all together.
How to make Cajun Shrimp Fettucine Pasta
Marinate the Shrimps
Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper, chili powder, and lime juice, giving the pasta a delicious and creamy twist. I have added 2 teaspoons of chili powder, but you can adjust the spices and seasonings according to your taste.
Cook Fettuccine Pasta
Cook fettuccine pasta according to the directions written on the package. Drain the pasta and reserve 1 cup of pasta water to use later in the sauce. Then add a bit of olive oil to the pasta to avoid sticking. Leave aside.
Cook the Shrimp
Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a pan over medium heat. Add shrimp and let them cook for 4-5 minutes (about 2 minutes each side) or until cooked through. Transfer them to a plate.
Prepare the Sauce
Add butter to the skillet. Add chopped shallot and minced garlic to the skillet for about 2 minutes over medium heat until the shallot is tender. Then add flour and cook it for 1-2 minutes. Season it with Cajun seasoning, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add heavy cream and pasta water. Whisk well. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens or desired consistency is achieved.
Assemble the Dish
Add the fettuccine pasta pack to the pan and mix it well until covered with sauce.
Then add parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and juice of one lime. Mix until combined well.
Garnish
Stir in cooked shrimp. Garnish with more parmesan and dry parsley or with chopped green onions. Enjoy this comforting meal!
Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta FAQs
What is Cajun Seasoning?
It is a blend of herbs and spices, including paprika, cayenne pepper, herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, that adds a flavorful twist to shrimp and sauce. You can easily find it in the spice aisle at your grocery store.
What to serve with Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta?
Serve with a side of vegetables, kale salad, or steamed broccoli. Or serve alongside garlic bread.
Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta
Ingredients
For pasta
- 1.5 lb. shrimp
- 10 oz. fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- 1 lime Juice (optional)
- Pasta sauce
For Marinating Shrimp
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- 2 tsp chili powder
- One lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp. oil (1 tbsp for marinade 2 for cooking shrimp)
For Pasta Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 shallot (chopped)
- 5 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 tsp Chili powder
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup pasta water
Instructions
- Add shrimp to a bowl and then season them with Cajun seasoning, chili powder, salt and pepper, and garlic powder. Mix to coat the shrimps. Leave them aside for 15 minutes of one hour.
- Cook fettuccine pasta according to the directions written on the package. Drain the pasta and reserve 1 cup of pasta water to use later in the sauce. Then add a bit of olive oil to the pasta to avoid sticking. Leave aside.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan / skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp and let them cook for 4-5 minutes (about 2 minutes each side) or until cooked through.
- Transfer them to a plate.
- Prepare pasta sauce: Add 2 tbsp butter to the same pan. Add chopped shallot and garlic to the skillet for about 2 minutes over medium heat until the shallot is tender.
- Add flour and cook it for 1-2 minutes.
- Then add seasonings (Cajun seasoning, chili powder, salt, and pepper)
- Add heavy cream and pasta water. Whisk well. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens or desired consistency is achieved.
- Add cooked fettuccine pasta to the sauce and mix it until it is well coated with sauce. Add parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and juice of one lime. Mix until combined well.
- Add the shrimp back to the pasta.
- Garnish with more parmesan and dry parsley or with chopped green onions. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can cook this pasta using frozen shrimp. Be sure to thaw them before marinating.
- If you're using salted butter, adjust the salt according to your taste.
- Check the Cajun seasoning label to check if it includes salt. If it has salt, adjust the salt accordingly.