Blackened Cajun Shrimp Pasta
A flavorful American dinner featuring plump shrimp blackened with Cajun spices, tossed in a creamy tomato pasta sauce, served over tender fettuccine. This stovetop recipe is medium difficulty, ready in under 40 minutes and perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Check ingredients as you go.
- Shrimp and Spice
- Sauce
- Pasta
- Seasoning
- Garnish
Let’s make it
Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Shrimp and Spice
While pasta cooks, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
Shrimp and Spice
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook until blackened and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Sauce
Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
Sauce
Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Shrimp and Spice
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, stirring to coat them with the sauce. Heat through for 1-2 minutes.
Pasta
Add the drained fettuccine to the skillet and toss gently to combine with the sauce and shrimp evenly.
Garnish
Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Tips & notes
For extra depth, toast the Cajun seasoning in the hot pan briefly before tossing with shrimp. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting quality. Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep them tender.
Saving it for later
Store leftover Blackened Cajun Shrimp Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze, as the cream sauce may separate on thawing.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much during reheating. Heat until warm throughout, about 4-5 minutes.
