This creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe makes for the BEST pasta dinner ready in under 30 minutes! Plump and juicy Cajun shrimp in a creamy Cajun sauce mixed with pasta.
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If you love easy pasta dinners in a creamy sauce like our Feta Pasta, creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta, or Chicken Alfredo Pasta, this Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a must-try.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe
This simple pasta dish is such a great recipe to make, not only for busy weeknights but even a fancy dinner. Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a flavor-packed spin on our Creamy Shrimp Pasta and our Cajun Chicken Pasta. You’ll love the buttery and tender shrimp tossed in a spicy Cajun seasoning and coated in creamy tomato alfredo pasta sauce with penne noodles.
Pro Tip:
Cajun seasoning food is typically spicy, as it includes cayenne pepper in its ingredients. You can add more or less cajun seasoning to adjust the level of spice in this dish. Different brands can be more or less spicy as well (see FAQ section). If you want it even spicier, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
How to Make Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Pasta– Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Keep some of the pasta water for the sauce then drain the pasta in a colander.
- Shrimp– Peel and devein the shrimp. Toss the shrimp into the cajun seasoning and saute in oil over medium heat until opaque, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and cover to keep warm.
- Sauce– Saute garlic with butter until fragrant, add the tomatoes. Add heavy cream, cajun seasoning, and parmesan and bring to a simmer.
- Combine – Add the shrimp back in along with the pasta and stir to coat in sauce. Add the reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce if desired.
- Serve– Top with freshly grated parmesan and fresh parsley to serve.
Serve Cajun Shrimp Pasta With
This hearty pasta dish is perfect to serve on its own, but we love to pair it with a fresh Caesar Salad or any of these easy sides:
- Easy Garlic Bread
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
- Panzanella Salad
- Coleslaw
- Grilled Zucchini
- Corn on the Cob
Frequently Asked Questions
For the best results, you will want to use large fresh shrimp that are peeled and deveined. We love 21-25 count. You may also use frozen shrimp and thaw according to package instructions before using.
We don’t recommend using already-cooked shrimp. If you cook shrimp a second time, it will become tough and rubbery. Also, cooking raw shrimp in the pan infuses the sauce with more flavor than using pre-cooked shrimp.
You can substitute the penne for any other pasta such as rigatoni, ziti, mostaccioli, or elbow pasta.
You can use any of your favorite store-bought Cajun seasoning, but they do vary in spiciness, from spicy cajun to a more mild cajun.
You can definitely add your favorite vegetable to the shrimp pasta. Onion, bell peppers, asparagus or green beans would all work great. Sauteed mushrooms are also a delicious add-in.
If your sauce is runny, then you did not simmer the sauce long enough. Also, make sure to use HEAVY whipping cream which has a higher fat content than regular whipping cream and don’t skip the parmesan cheese which helps thicken the sauce.
I hope this creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta becomes a new family favorite for you. It comes together fast and is perfect for busy weeknights.
More Cajun Recipes
- Grilled Cajun Shrimp Skewers
- Easy Shrimp Boil
- Baked Cajun Shrimp
- Shrimp Fajitas
- Shrimp Cobb Salad
- Chicken and Mushroom Cajun Pasta
- Cajun Beef Fajitas
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp cajun seasoning, divided *or added to taste depending on brand used.
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
- 2 Tbsp parsley to garnish, (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in a pot of salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Keep some of the pasta water for the sauce then drain the pasta and cover to keep warm.
- Coat the shrimp with 1 Tbsp of the cajun seasoning. In a deep skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and saute for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp is no longer translucent, remove from skillet and cover to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 Tbsp butter with the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add in the diced tomatoes and saute for about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream, remaining 1 Tbsp cajun seasoning and grated parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer then reduce to medium/low heat and continue 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- Add the shrimp and pasta back into the skillet and stir until the noodles are coated in sauce and everything is heated through. If needed, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce. To serve, garnish with more parmesan and chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Pasta – Substitute the penne for any other pasta such as rigatoni, ziti, mostaccioli, or elbow pasta
- Vegetables – You can add your favorite vegetable to the shrimp pasta such as onion, bell peppers, asparagus, green beans, or even sauteed mushrooms.
Nutrition Per Serving
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Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Perfect and I made exactly as recipe is written. The entire family enjoyed!
Excellent! Trying to copy a cajun restaurant’s dish. Husband said this recipe was better.
My best friend Tiffanie made this Cajun shrimp dish and she did her thing!!!
This was the best . My family loved it . Of course I did added my little razzle dazzle . Definitely recommend!
We make this at least twice a month in our house. We use chicken instead of shrimp because I am the only one in the house that will eat shrimp. It is a huge hit everytime. The kids and hubby request it often!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Heather!
rate this 4.5. it’s good. alot depends on grade of parmesan and selection of cajun seasoning. but I like it
This is my go-to recipe for when kids and grandkids visit. It’s easy, fills everyone up and is very tasty. The shrimp version is their favorite but as some don’t like seafood I occasionally make the chicken on. I use the Cajun Two Step regular seasoning (available on Amazon) and it’s perfect for this dish.
That’s great to hear, Ron! Thanks for sharing.
We’ve made this recipe 5 or 6 times now and love it so much! Last night we added a 5 ounce bag of spinach at the very end and cooked it for 2 or 3 minutes in the sauce. It worked really well!!
Thanks for sharing all of these amazing recipes with us
That’s wonderful, Eric!
Excellent recipe! I did add the juice of one lemon to deglaze pan after shrimp and a few teaspoons of butter when i added the garlic. Then added red pepper flakes at the end. The sauce was amazing!
Sounds great! Thank you for sharing that with us. Really happy that you enjoyed this recipe a lot.
I added some Chardonnay to the shrimp and my own Cajun Spice Mix. Great dish! Thanks!!!
This is my family’s new favorite dish! I used thick shaved parmesan while cooking and then topped it with a little more cheese and parsley at the end and covered it for a few minutes while everyone got to the table. Next time I’ll be adding mushrooms!
I bet this will be so good with mushrooms! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Susie.
Th3 food was good but way to greasy. I used exactly what the recipe said use. What could be this reason?
Hi Felicia! Heavy whipping cream has a high fat content. You can use a lighter cream but if you are using a lighter cream the sauce won’t thicken as much, it will be more watery.
I make this all the time and it’s delicious! I double the garlic and add 2 cups of cream and it’s super creamy and garlicky! And cook my shrimps a bit longer and it’s a crowd pleaser !Even my two year old loves it!
Nice to know that your kid loves this recipe too! Thanks so much for the review and good feedback, Lily.
Made this for a large group and it was a big hit. I used canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh and it worked great. I will definitely make this again.
So glad it was a hit! Thank you for sharing.
Do you use fresh or canned tomatoes, or does it not matter? Thanks!
Hi Tracy! You can dice fresh tomatoes or use canned diced tomatoes. Either will work fine. I hope you love the recipe!
I love this recipe! I use half of the cajun seasoning and I also use Barilla Red Lentil penne (husband is diabetic).
Thanks for sharing, I’m glad to hear that you loved our recipe!
This was such a great recipe. I did half shrimp, half chicken, and it was phenomenal. Will be making again!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Megan!
This is the saltiest thing I’ve ever made. Two tablespoons of the seasoning blend linked on the recipe was a disaster.
You may be using a cajun seasoning with a higher amount of salt in it. If you are using a cajun seasoning that has a high salt content, start with half of the seasoning and add more to taste.
I made this last night and doubled the recipe for my big eating teen boys and hungry husband. I used trader joes argentian red shrimp and it was delicious!! I did add two sliced bell peppers before I added the garlic and it was amazing! thank you for this recipe!
You’re welcome, Susan! Happy to see your feedback and review, glad your family enjoyed it!
Excellent. I try new shrimp recipes all the time and this one is a keeper. Per other reviews I used 1 T cajun. Perfect. I’m trying it again this time with orzo. thank you! Apologies if I already reviewed this – I forgot !
Hi Fera! I’m so glad you liked it. Thank you for the feedback.
This is a new family favorite. I did use 1/2 Tbs of Tony’s Cajun seasoning on the shrimp and only 1 TBs for the sauce. It was plenty for us. My son requested more shrimp recipes. Next we will make the Tuscan Shrimp Pasta.
Great to hear! I hope you and your family will love all of the recipes that you will try from us.