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Cajun Shrimp Alfredo

A creamy and spicy Cajun shrimp pasta dish that’s quick and easy to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cajun Shrimp
  • 1 pound shrimp, fresh, peeled and deveined Use large shrimp for better texture.
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning Homemade or store-bought.
For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta Avoid overcooking the pasta.
For the Alfredo Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons butter Melted in the same pan used for shrimp.
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped Cook until fragrant, not burnt.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Use fresh cream for best results.
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated Freshly grated is preferable.
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped For garnish.
  • 1 lemon squeeze of lemon juice Add before serving for brightness.

Method
 

Cooking the Shrimp
  1. Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning and pat them dry.
  2. Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes on each side until just pink.
  3. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
Cooking the Pasta
  1. Boil the fettuccine or penne until al dente, then drain, saving a bit of pasta water.
Making the Alfredo Sauce
  1. In the same pan, melt butter, and cook chopped garlic until fragrant.
  2. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, allowing it to simmer and thicken.
  3. Stir in the grated parmesan until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combining and Serving
  1. Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the sauce, tossing to coat.
  2. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Notes

For variations, you can add cherry tomatoes or spinach, and for lighter options, use half and half instead of heavy cream. Avoid rinsing the pasta to keep the starches that help the sauce adhere.