Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a decadent pasta with shrimp sautéed in a creamy sauce and tossed with pasta. Great for date night or any day you want to indulge.
If you’ve checked out my shrimp tacos or many of the other shrimp recipes I’ve got on the blog, you know that we LOVE shrimp around here.
I am always a sucker for a creamy, indulgent pasta. And that is exactly what this Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe is. Its creamy, carb-y heaven on a plate. And you’re going to love it.
Recently I was craving something creamy with just a little kick to it and I always have some pasta in the pantry, so I thought I would indulge myself . The result of my indulgence you ask? This recipe for Cajun Shrimp Pasta.
Succulent shrimp are simmered in a creamy Cajun sauce with shallots and bell peppers before tossing the mixture with fettuccine. Rich and Creamy, Cajun-y goodness! Who could resist?
Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make it.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta Ingredients:
- SHRIMP: For this recipe I recommend using a small to medium shrimp. Shrimp is usually sold by the number it takes to make one pound. When shopping for shrimp you will see numbers like 31/40, 51-60, U- 10. 31/40 means there are 31 to 40 shrimp per pound. 51 to 60 means there are 51 to 60 shrimp per pound and U- 10 means that there are under 10 shrimp in a pound. If you need help learning out to devein shrimp, please check out my How to Peel and Devein Shrimp Guide.
- BUTTER/OLIVE OIL: To saute the vegetables.
- SHALLOTS: Will add a subtle onion flavor but won’t over power the dish.
- GREEN BELL PEPPERS: Adds a little bit of texture and color to the pasta.
- GARLIC
- CAJUN SEASONING: I do use a cajun seasoning blend to give it that kick. You can find them pretty easily in your local grocery store, it might be called blackened seasoning as well. You can also make your own.
- HEAVY CREAM: To make the sauce rich and decadent.
- SOUR CREAM: Will add even more creaminess to the dish but also some tanginess that I love.
- PASTA: I love using linguine in this recipe but you can use any longer noodle that can handle a heavier sauce. I would avoid angel hair because the sauce will be too heavy for the fine noodles.
Step by Step Photos and Instructions:
One of my favorite things about this pasta is how easy it is to make. It can be made in about 30 minutes making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- STEP #1: Start water and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
- STEP #2: While waiting for the pasta to cook, melt butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, shallots and bell pepper and cook just until slightly softened.
- STEP #3: Reduce heat to low and stir in cream, sour cream and cajun seasoning. Add in shrimp and cook until cooked through.
- STEP #4: Add cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat completely. Let set 5 minutes. Toss once more and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Storage and Leftovers:
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within a few days.
This Cajun Shrimp Pasta is easy enough to make on a weeknight and fancy enough to make for a date night at home. A little salad and wine and you are good to go.
Note: Originally posted 2009. Tips, nutrition facts, photos and a new video added 2019. Updated with new photos and step by step photos in 2025.
More Shrimp Recipes:
Shrimp Fajitas make a great weeknight dinner! Quick, easy and loaded with shrimp, a medley of bell peppers, onions and seasonings. Serve on warm tortillas!
Shrimp and Grits is a southern classic. This version is made with cheesy grits topped with shrimp in a cajun cream gravy.
Salt & Pepper Shrimp is crispy, salty and slightly spicy. This quick and easy recipe is one of our favorites to make at home when we want to skip takeout and make it ourselves!
More Cajun Recipes:
Cajun Popcorn Shrimp is quick, easy and oh so crispy! Sweet shrimp, marinated in Cajun seasoning, then coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden.
Cajun Pot Roast with Tomato Gravy is Sunday supper perfection! Tender pot roast coated in Cajun spices and braised with tomatoes.
Cajun Seasoned Oyster Crackers are a quick and easy snack! You need 4 ingredients and about 20 minutes to make this simple crackers recipe. Then, you’re on your way to spicy, crunchy cracker snacking.
Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pasta such as linguine or fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup minced shallots
- 1 green bell pepper (chopped small)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 pound 51-60 count prawns, peeled and deveined
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start the water for your pasta and cook according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once butter has melted add garlic, shallots and bell pepper. Cook until slightly softened, the bell peppers will still be a bit crunchy, about 3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream, sour cream and Cajun seasoning to pan. Stir to combine and cook until warmed through about 3 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for 5-6 minutes or until the shrimp are pink.
- Once your pasta is finished cooking, strain and add to sauce, toss to combine. Let stand 5 minutes, toss once more. Serve.
This cajun pasta looks so creamy and delicious, These pictures have my mouth watering !!!
Love how you put cajun inspired flavours into a pasta dish!! Looks incredible! The photos just about have me drooling.
This cajun shrimp pasta looks truly crave-worthy! I make a lot of shrimp at my house because it’s my husband and sons’ favorite food. I can’t wait to make this recipe for them. DELISH!
Gosh, this looks super easy! The perfect recipe for a delicious meal in no time! YUM!!!
OMG this looks amazing!!!! I love Cajun flavors over creamy pasta! DIVINE!
This is definitely creamy, carb-y heaven! Wonderful dish and so easy to make! I always use cajun seasoning for chicken and steak. Thanks for this recipe!
Wow! This sounds amazing. I love shrimp and I love pasta. Great flavors with a little kick. This is going in my dinner rotation.
Awesome platter for kids. They to grab this amazing meal for sure.
This pasta looks yummy. The sauce is creamy and you can see it has a nice kick, with succulent shrimp adding that plumpness. Definitely an awesome meal!
This looks so good and perfect for a busy weeknight meal!
This looks incredible! What a great idea, adding the cajun flair to a creamy seafood dish. Can’t wait to try it!
Oh this looks like the perfect week night dinner! It’s quick and looks scrumptious. Pinning for dinner!
What a great looking recipe! I will definitely be adding this to my dinner line up this week!
So creamy and delicious! One of my favorite pasta dishes!
Mmmm! Set an extra place for me? This looks so good, and right up my alley!
This looks so tasty I can’t wait to make for the family
Yum! This shrimp recipe looks delicious. I love pasta so much. I need to try this recipe.
This is the only thing I can think about now. I know what is getting made for dinner tonight!
This is such an amazing flavor combo!! Would love to try it!
mmm..pasta and shrimp is my favorite!! I can’t wait to try this!! It looks incredibly delicious!
Pasta and shrimp, what a combination! Looks delicious!!
That looks spectacular! I would love to try this, combinations of those flavors are amazing!
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe. I made tonight and it was delicious.
I will always love this combination! This looks fantastic!
This will be a huge hit for sure! I cannot wait to eat it!
I’m all about some pasta! Looks delicious.
So creamy and delicious! Love all the flavor!
Oh my goodness! This pasta looks absolutely amazing! I wish I had a bowl right now!
I always order this when we go out so this will be perfect for a date night in!
I have made a lot of cajun pasta in my day. This is by far the BEST! I will definately be making again!
Oh I’m sure chicken will be just as yummy Val. You’re welcome :)
Sounds yummy. Due to allergies I’ll substitute chicken. (Gawd, how I miss shellfish. Sigh..) Thanks for the ideas. ;o}