Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

allforyouuJuly 28, 2024

0 18 2 minutes read

Cook noodles according to package instructions and drain well.
Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and sprinkle them with 1 1/2 tablespoons creole seasoning turning halfway through.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook for 5 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through. Add the garlic to the skillet with the shrimp in the last 30 seconds of cooking and stir constantly. Do not crowd the pan with shrimp. If necessary, plate the shallots, shrimp, and garlic, then add a little butter to the skillet and cook the remaining shrimp. Remove mixture to a plate and set aside.
Add the chicken broth to the skillet and cook to reduce by half while scraping the bottom of the skillet to remove any brown bits. Reduce the heat to low, add the cream, and simmer to reduce by almost half, stirring often.
Slowly whisk in Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with creole seasoning. Add the shrimp and shallot mixture back to the pan with the sauce. Add the cooked fettuccine noodles back to the pan and toss to coat. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.

For best results time the completion of the cooked fettuccine to coincide with the shrimp and sauce.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of the stuff in the canister, as it has more flavor and melts better.
If possible, use wild-caught large shrimp. I like to use 21-25-count shrimp. Don’t overcook them. They only need about 1-1 1/2 minutes on each side. They will be added back to the pan in the final step of the recipe.
Finely chopped onions can be substituted for the shallots if needed. Or, for more color and flavor, consider adding mushrooms, diced peppers, bell peppers, or asparagus.
If the pasta is too thick, simply thin it with a little reserved pasta water, 1-2 tablespoons at a time.