Cajun shrimp pasta Alfredo is a delicious and spicy dish that combines the flavors of Cajun seasoning, succulent shrimp, and rich Alfredo sauce. The dish originated in Louisiana and has since become a popular choice in restaurants across the United States.
How To Make:
To make Cajun shrimp pasta Alfredo, you will need to start by cooking the pasta. Linguine or fettuccine work well, as they are able to hold the rich sauce. Prepare the prawns while the spaghetti is cooking.
To give the shrimp a spicy kick, you will need to coat them in Cajun seasoning. This seasoning typically includes a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and other spices. Once the shrimp are coated, they can be cooked in a pan with some butter until they are pink and cooked through.
Next, it's time to make the Alfredo sauce. This rich sauce is made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. To give the sauce a little extra flavor, you can add some garlic and Italian seasoning. Once the sauce is heated through and the cheese has melted, you can add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the pan and toss everything together.
The result is a decadent and flavorful dish that is sure to please anyone who loves spicy seafood pasta. You can garnish the dish with some chopped parsley or additional Parmesan cheese to add some extra flavor and texture.
Tips and Variations:
Adjust the spice level: Cajun seasoning can be quite spicy, so adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to your liking.
Add vegetables: To add more nutrients and flavor to the dish, consider adding some sautéed vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
Substitute the pasta: While linguine or fettuccine are traditional choices for this dish, you can also use other types of pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or even spaghetti.
Use different proteins: If you're not a fan of shrimp, you can substitute it with chicken or sliced sausage for a different flavor and texture.
Make it lighter: To make the dish lighter, you can use low-fat milk instead of heavy cream, or substitute some of the cheese with nutritional yeast.
Experiment with different herbs and spices: You can customize the dish by adding your favorite herbs and spices such as thyme, oregano, or basil.
Garnish with lemon juice: To add some acidity and freshness to the dish, consider squeezing some lemon juice over the pasta before serving.
Serve with garlic bread: To complement the rich and creamy sauce, serve the pasta with some garlic bread or crusty bread for dipping.
By experimenting with different ingredients and flavors, you can make this classic Cajun shrimp pasta Alfredo recipe your own.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. linguine or fettuccine pasta
- 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp. Cajun seasoning
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley or additional Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions:
In a big pot of salted boiling water, prepare the pasta as directed on the package. Drain and set aside.
Make sure the shrimp are thoroughly covered in Cajun seasoning and season them while the pasta is boiling. On medium heat, you can melt the butter in a large skillet Add the garlic and cook it for a few minutes, until it becomes fragrant. When the shrimp are pink and cooked through, add them to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. The shrimp should be taken out of the skillet and placed aside. In the same skillet, incorporate the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir continuously until the sauce is well cooked and the cheese has melted.
Add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta and shrimp are coated with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot and top with additional Parmesan cheese or chopped parsley.