Spice up pasta night with this flavorful and delicious Lightened Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta. Made with a thick and creamy sauce and parmesan cheese!
A total upgrade on regular shrimp pasta
In the mood for noodles, but the same old recipe isn't going to cut it? Try this lightened creamy cajun shrimp pasta instead. It's bursting with delicious cajun flavor and a mouth-watering thick and creamy sauce! Plus, it's very easy to make and feeds a crowd. Double win.
This recipe is made with an über flavorful combination of cajun seasoning, diced tomatoes, minced garlic, and shrimp. And with the addition of parmesan cheese, you know it's going to be good.
Ingredients in lightened creamy cajun shrimp pasta
Below is a complete list of everything you'll need to make this cajun shrimp pasta recipe. If you're out of traditional spaghetti noodles but have a different pasta shape, that'll work!
- Spaghetti: First up are the noodles. You will need a 16oz box of regular spaghetti noodles.
- Shrimp: Next comes the shrimp. Prepare 1 lb of shrimp by peeling and deveining them and removing the tails.
- Cajun seasoning: To add cajun flavor, you will need ¼ cup of cajun seasoning divided.
- Salt and Pepper: Use a pinch of salt and pepper each.
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon of olive oil will help us prepare the dish.
- Butter: The same goes for butter. You will need 1 tbsp.
- Garlic: Add extra flavor by including 3 cloves of minced garlic.
- Diced tomatoes: Then, throw in 2 14oz cans of diced tomatoes to add flavor and to thicken up the recipe.
- Milk: 2 cups of milk will make the dish nice and creamy.
- Flour: 2 tablespoon of all-purpose flour will thicken the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: Gotta have cheese! Use ½ cup of grated parmesan.
- Spinach: Sneak in some greens with one 8oz bag of baby spinach.
- Parsley: Last but not least, prepare some parsley for garnishing!
All of the tools you'll need for creamy cajun shrimp pasta
Grab your kitchen supplies, and let's get started! Below is a list of everything you'll need to bring this recipe together:
- Pot
- Strainer
- Large mixing bowl
- Stirring utensil
- Large dutch oven
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Tongs
- Measuring cups: 1 tbsp, ¼ cup, ½ cup, and 1 cup
How to make lightened creamy cajun shrimp pasta
This creamy cajun shrimp recipe may seem overwhelming at first, but it truly comes together so easily! The steps below should make the process smooth and simple.
To begin, prepare the spaghetti according to the directions on the box. Drain the noodles and keep them warm by putting the lid back on the pot.
Then, use a large bowl to mix together the shrimp, half of the cajun seasoning, and the salt and pepper.
Heat a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Once hot, add the shrimp and cook it for 3-4 minutes total, stirring occasionally.
Remove the shrimp from the heat and place them back in the bowl.
Then, add the butter and the minced garlic to the same hot pot. Mix and let cook for 30 seconds on medium-high heat, and then add the diced tomatoes and milk.
Remove ¼ cup of the milk mixture from the pot and place it in a bowl. Whisk in the flour. This will create a roux, which is a thick sauce that will help to thicken the main dish. Once everything is mixed together, add the roux back into the main pot and whisk until combined.
Next, stir in the parmesan cheese and the remainder of the cajun seasoning. Let it simmer over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, or until it has thickened. Be sure to stir occasionally. Once thick, turn off the heat.
Add the shrimp and spaghetti to the sauce. Mix together using tongs until everything is combined. Then, add the bag of baby spinach and mix. It will take a few minutes to wilt down, so you can either put the lid on to let it steam or keep mixing until it has wilted.
Top with chopped parsley and extra parmesan and serve!
Optional ingredient additions
This dish is incredible on its own, but you may be wondering about how you can sneak in extra veggies! If that's the case, feel free to add anything from the list below. These options are sure to pair nicely with the other flavors and add extra nutrients to the meal.
- White onion (finely diced)
- Red onion for a more potent flavor (finely diced)
- Bell pepper (finely diced)
- Green onion
- Zucchini (thinly sliced)
How is this recipe healthier?
This dish is called lightened creamy cajun shrimp pasta for a reason. Reason being, this dish includes a homemade sauce made without heavy cream! Instead, we achieve a thick and creamy sauce by using a small amount (2 tbsp) of all-purpose flour and milk. This alternative is preferred over the heavy cream and it tastes absolutely delicious!
If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these!
These meals are sure to leave your family with full bellies and satisfied taste buds! Each one is delicious and packs in nutrients and flavor.
- Chicken Piccata Meatballs
- Easy French Onion Soup
- Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
- Vegan Copycat Snack Wrap
All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn
Lightened Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare spaghetti according to directions on box. Drain and keep warm by putting lid back on pot.
- In a large bowl, mix together shrimp, half of cajun seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Heat a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil. Once hot, add in shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes total, stirring occasionally.
- Remove shrimp from heat and place back in bowl.
- Add butter to hot pan where shrimp was, then add minced garlic. Mix and let cook 30 seconds over medium-high heat, then add in diced tomatoes and milk.
- Take ¼ cup of the milk mixture out of the pot and place in bowl, whisk in flour. This will create a roux, a thick sauce that will help to thicken our main dish. Once all mixed together, add the roux back into the main pot and whisk until all combined.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and remainder of cajun seasoning. Let simmer over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, or until has thickened. Be sure to stir occasionally. Once thick, turn off heat.
- Add shrimp back into sauce, in addition to spaghetti. Mix together using tongs until all combined. Then add in bag of baby spinach and mix. It will take a few minutes to wilt down, so you can put the lid back on to let it steam, or just keep mixing until spinach has wilted.
- Top with chopped parsley and extra parmesan and serve!
Kara says
My husband and I made this when we were craving a hearty and comforting pasta dish. This was absolutely perfect! Will be making again!
Linda Shemely says
One of our favorite spicy recipes!
Erin says
Hi Linda, so happy you loved it! 🙂