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Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe Easy Creamy Sauce for Dinner

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A quick and easy creamy Alfredo pasta with spicy Cajun shrimp, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. This recipe combines bold flavors with simple ingredients for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) of fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss them in 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add shrimp in a single layer to the hot pan. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred on edges. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Once melted, add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  5. Pour in ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream and 1 ½ cups (360 ml) Alfredo sauce. Stir gently to combine, scraping any browned bits from the shrimp. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Stir in ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen to preferred consistency.
  7. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss with the sauce. Add the drained fettuccine and gently toss everything together so the pasta is coated evenly with the creamy Cajun sauce.
  8. Squeeze 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the pasta and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Stir gently and remove from heat.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or parsley if desired.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before seasoning to ensure a good sear. Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking shrimp. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Cook sauce just as pasta finishes to keep everything hot and fresh. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, use dairy-free Alfredo sauce and omit cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp, Alfredo pasta, creamy sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe, spicy shrimp, fettuccine, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/cajun-shrimp-alfredo-pasta-recipe-easy-creamy-sauce-for-dinner/