Cajun Shrimp Alfredo

$- 8 oz fettuccine pasta - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 tablespoon butter - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) To make Cajun Shrimp Alfredo, you need simple, fresh ingredients. Start with fettuccine pasta. This type of pasta has a wide shape that holds the sauce well. You will also need large shrimp, peeled and deveined for easy cooking. The Cajun seasoning gives the shrimp a spicy kick. For cooking, use olive oil and butter. Olive oil adds healthy fat, while butter enhances the flavor. Heavy cream creates the rich sauce. Grated Parmesan cheese adds a nutty taste that complements the cream. Garlic, salt, and pepper round out the flavors. Finally, fresh parsley is for garnish. It adds a nice touch and a pop of color. With these ingredients, you will create a dish that is both creamy and flavorful. Enjoy cooking! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, fill a large pot with water. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add 8 ounces of fettuccine pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente, which usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. After cooking, carefully drain the pasta in a colander. Set the drained pasta aside while you prepare the shrimp and sauce. Next, grab 1 pound of large shrimp, already peeled and deveined. Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning over the shrimp. Toss the shrimp well until they are fully coated in the seasoning. This step gives the shrimp a delightful kick. Now, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Sauté the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side. You want them to turn pink and be cooked through. Once done, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Let it melt, then add 3 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until it smells great. After that, slowly pour in 1 cup of heavy cream while stirring. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer. Now, add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the cream. Stir it until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Don't forget to add salt and pepper to taste for extra flavor. Finally, add the cooked fettuccine and sautéed shrimp back into the sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and shrimp evenly. Heat through for another 2 minutes, and your dish is almost ready to serve! To make your Cajun Shrimp Alfredo shine, start by adjusting the seasoning. Taste your sauce as you cook. If it needs more kick, add a pinch of salt or more Cajun seasoning. You want it to be bold but not overwhelming. Using fresh ingredients is key. Fresh shrimp and good-quality Parmesan cheese make a big difference. Fresh garlic adds a nice punch too. Trust me, these small details elevate your dish. Don't overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook fast. Just two to three minutes per side is enough. Look for that lovely pink color. If you cook them too long, they get rubbery, and that’s not what you want. For a creamy sauce, keep the heat low when adding the cream. Stir it in slowly and watch it simmer. Adding cheese gradually helps it melt smoothly. If your sauce seems too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up. Pro Tips Perfect Pasta: Always cook pasta al dente to maintain its texture and prevent it from becoming mushy when mixed with the sauce. Seasoning Boost: Taste the sauce before serving to ensure it's well-seasoned. You can adjust the salt and Cajun spice to your preference. Fresh Shrimp: Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor. Frozen shrimp can work, but make sure to thaw them properly before cooking. Garnish for Color: Don't skip the parsley! It adds a fresh flavor and a vibrant color contrast to the dish. {{image_2}} You can switch out shrimp for chicken or tofu. Both options work well with Cajun flavors. For chicken, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Cook it just like the shrimp. Season it with the same Cajun spice. Tofu gives a great vegetarian option. Use extra-firm tofu and cut it into cubes. Sauté until golden for the best texture. Another fun twist is using salmon. Salmon adds a rich flavor to the dish. Just season it with Cajun spice and pan-sear it until cooked. Break it into chunks and mix it into the Alfredo sauce. You’ll love the unique taste! Changing up the pasta can make a big difference. Try whole wheat or gluten-free pasta. Whole wheat adds a nutty taste and extra fiber. Gluten-free options, like rice or corn pasta, are great for sensitive diets. Both are easy to cook and will hold the sauce well. For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for light cream. This makes the dish less rich but still creamy. It lowers the calories without losing too much flavor. You can also try using milk for an even lighter touch. Just remember to adjust the cooking time to get the right consistency. To keep your Cajun Shrimp Alfredo fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps to lock in the flavor and moisture. Place the container in the fridge as soon as the dish cools down. Leftovers will stay good for about three days. When you’re ready to eat, you can enjoy those delightful flavors again! Reheating Cajun Shrimp Alfredo can be tricky. You want to keep it creamy and tasty. For best results, use a skillet. Heat it gently over low heat. Add a splash of cream or broth to help it stay smooth. Stir often to avoid burning. You can also use the microwave. Just heat it in short bursts. Stir between each burst to keep the texture nice. To make Cajun Shrimp Alfredo spicier, you can add more Cajun seasoning. Start with an extra teaspoon and taste as you go. If you want more heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper. Fresh jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes also work well. These add flavor and heat, making your dish pop. Yes, you can use pre-cooked shrimp for this dish. However, you need to adjust the cooking time. Since the shrimp is already cooked, you only need to heat it through. Add it to the skillet towards the end of the cooking process. This keeps the shrimp tender and juicy. Just be careful not to overcook it, or it may become rubbery. To prevent the sauce from curdling, keep the heat low when adding cream. Stir constantly as you pour in the cream. This helps it mix smoothly with other ingredients. Using fresh cream also reduces the risk of curdling. If the sauce starts to thicken too much, add a splash of pasta water to help smooth it out. Cajun Shrimp Alfredo is a simple but tasty dish. We covered the key ingredients, from fettuccine to shrimp. You learned how to cook the pasta and prepare the shrimp. Making the creamy sauce is easy with just a few steps. I shared tips to perfect the flavor and cooking techniques. You can also try different proteins and pasta options. Remember to store leftovers properly for later enjoyment. With these insights, you can create your own delicious Cajun Shrimp Alfredo. Enjoy your cooking adventure!$

Enjoy this creamy and spicy combination for a delightful meal!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Cajun

Servings 4

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

8 oz fettuccine pasta
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon butter
to taste salt and pepper
for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, toss the cleaned shrimp with Cajun seasoning until well coated.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cooked fettuccine and sautéed shrimp to the sauce, tossing to coat everything evenly. Heat through for another 2 minutes.
Plate the dish and garnish with chopped parsley for a pop of color.

Notes

Garnish with fresh parsley for added flavor.

Keyword Alfredo, Cajun, pasta, shrimp