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Give your weekly menu a little bit kick with this 30-minute Cajun Shrimp Pasta! With complete wheat noodles, juicy shrimp, and colourful veggies tossed in a calmly spicy cream sauce, this recipe is a selfmade model of everybody’s favourite restaurant-style recipe.
This lighter Cajun shrimp pasta recipe is impressed by a well-loved restaurant of my childhood: Chili’s.
Their Cajun shrimp pasta was all the time one in every of my go-to orders (once I wasn’t down the road having fun with Applebee’s Oriental Hen Salad).
Spicy blackened shrimp cooked in a thick Alfredo sauce, it was indulgent, heavy on the penne pasta, mild on the veggies, and precisely that type of factor that top college Erin craved (I wasn’t cued into lighter takes like Garlic Shrimp Pasta but).
These days, I nonetheless love a wealthy and creamy plate of pasta at times, however with a number of methods to make the recipe simply as wholesome and healthful as it’s satisfying.
5 Star Evaluate
“This was completely scrumptious!!! I’ve by no means left a touch upon a recipe earlier than, however I simply HAD to for this one.”
— Joselyn —
Suggestions for Making Cajun Shrimp Pasta with out Cream
Why does restaurant meals style so good (hi there, Lettuce Wraps | Copycat PF Changs)? Often, as a result of they include giant quantities of fats and salt (sodium)—nice for an evening out, not so nice for on a regular basis dwelling cooking.
To recreate this restaurant-style Cajun shrimp pasta, I made a number of swaps to the basic recipe to make it a strong alternative for weeknight meals.
- No Cream. Not like Chili’s recipe, which depends on butter and heavy cream for richness, I opted for milk, cornstarch, and light-weight cream cheese to create a more healthy however equally-delicious sauce with much less fats and fewer energy.
- Further Veggies. Eating places normally go heavy on pasta as a result of it’s an reasonably priced ingredient that accommodates People’ expectations for BIG restaurant parts. This recipe, nonetheless, opts for extra veggies and fewer pasta for added vitamin.
- Entire Wheat Pasta. I all the time want to succeed in for complete wheat pasta (like on this Hen Alfredo Bake) when cooking a pasta dish at dwelling to sneak a little bit further fiber and complete grain goodness into each chew.
These nutritious swaps paired with simple prep and crowd-pleasing taste will shortly flip this model of Chili’s Cajun shrimp pasta into an prompt household favourite.
Tips on how to Make Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
My aim for this recipe was to make a copycat Cajun shrimp pasta that’s tasty and higher for you with out dropping its indulgent enchantment.
The luscious, creamy sauce provides decadence (similar to in Pasta al Limone), and components like complete wheat pasta, bell peppers, mushrooms, and shrimp deliver a delicious stability.
The Elements
- Shrimp. Fast-cooking, simple to eat, and engaging in quite a lot of dishes (every part from Shrimp Tacos to spicy Bang Bang Shrimp), shrimp are additionally a superb supply of protein. v
- Entire Wheat Pasta. Buying and selling out white pasta noodles for his or her whole-grain counterpart immediately boosts your consumption of fiber, protein, and different vitamins.
- Decreased-Fats Cream Cheese. It is a creamy Cajun shrimp pasta with out cream! Simply 4 ounces of sunshine cream cheese are all you want for a sauce that tastes thick and creamy like Alfredo, for a fraction of the energy. (it’s additionally my secret to creamy Turkey Tetrazzini.)
- Milk. Making this dish with nonfat milk lightens issues up.
- Bell Peppers. Crisp and colourful, a trio of bell peppers load each twirl of the fork with loads of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber.
- Mushrooms. Whereas the unique Chili’s model of this Cajun pasta doesn’t include mushrooms, I really like the addition. They style tremendous delish on this recipe (and Mushroom Pasta) and add tons of dietary advantages.
- Fireplace-Roasted Diced Tomatoes. A one-ingredient trick to make this Cajun shrimp pasta style like Chili’s. I hold a number of of those cans in my pantry always so as to add prompt taste (and additional veggies!) to my meals. (If you happen to love tomato cream sauces, take a look at Penne Alla Vodka subsequent).
- Cajun Seasoning. Cajun seasoning is a mix of flavorful Cajun spices and herbs equivalent to smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, thyme, and oregano. It offers this pasta its signature taste. You can even use it for Cajun Shrimp Boil Foil Packs and Cajun Shrimp and Grits.
Tip!
Observe that Cajun seasoning incorporates salt, so relying on how a lot you select so as to add to this recipe (extra seasoning = extra spicy), you’ll need to modify the quantity of salt you add elsewhere accordingly. When you have considerations with sodium content material, you’ll want to evaluate totally different Cajun seasoning manufacturers.
- Inexperienced Onions. For a ultimate flourish of shade that provides extra zip and freshness.
The Instructions
- Prepare dinner the pasta to al dente, drain, and put aside.
- Toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the shrimp to a preheated giant skillet with oil.
- Prepare dinner for 3 to five minutes. Take away the cooked shrimp to a plate.
- Saute the bell peppers with extra Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the tomatoes.
- Add a part of the inexperienced onions. Take away the greens to the plate with the shrimp. Whisk the milk and cornstarch collectively.
- Pour the milk combination into the skillet with butter, whisking till clean. Add the cream cheese. Stir within the remaining Cajun seasoning.
- Return every part to the pan.
- Toss to coat all of the components within the sauce.
- High with extra inexperienced onions, chopped contemporary parsley, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. ENJOY!
Storage Suggestions
- To Retailer. Refrigerate pasta in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low warmth or within the microwave.
- To Freeze. Freeze pasta in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
As much as 1 day upfront, prepare dinner the pasta and chop the greens. Retailer every ingredient in a separate hermetic storage container.
What Sides Go together with Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Beneficial Instruments to Make this Recipe
- Dutch Oven. Excellent for making Cajun shrimp pasta.
- Whisk. This small whisk is straightforward to deal with.
- Mixing Bowls. A set of blending bowls is crucial in each kitchen.
The Finest Dutch Oven
A high-quality Dutch oven like this one will assist you to put together every part from casseroles to pastas to desserts.
Be warned; this creamy Cajun shrimp pasta is about to fireside up your busy weeknight dinner expectations!
Continuously Requested Questions
Because the recipe is written, this pasta has a kick (like this Spicy Shrimp Pasta) however actually received’t set off alarm bells if you’re accustomed to spice. The creamy sauce helps to chill it down. You can even squeeze lemon juice excessive for some further zip that balances the spice.
If you happen to’d just like the pasta hotter, be happy so as to add extra Cajun spice and/or cayenne pepper or pink pepper flakes till it’s as spicy as you care to dare.
If you happen to want a thicker sauce, you may scale back the quantity of milk within the recipe. Add regularly to the sauce and cease when it reaches the specified consistency. If you happen to’ve by accident added an excessive amount of milk, you may experiment with including extra one other cornstarch slurry or an additional tablespoon of nonfat cream cheese to thicken the sauce again up.
If you happen to want a thinner pasta sauce, you would add an additional splash of milk or attain for a number of tablespoons of rooster broth or reserved pasta water.
For a gluten-free model, use gluten-free noodles. I like to recommend rinsing them with water after they prepare dinner to maintain them from turning into gummy.
A Cajun shrimp pasta restaurant serving from Chili’s incorporates an estimated 1190 energy! Conversely, this wholesome Cajun shrimp pasta incorporates simply 340 energy per serving.
- 8 ounces complete wheat linguine noodles or pasta of your alternative
- 1 pound giant shrimp peeled and deveined*
- 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning divided, or to style
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder divided
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt divided, plus extra to style
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper divided
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 1 medium pink bell pepper thinly sliced and halved
- 1 medium orange or yellow bell pepper thinly sliced and halved
- 1 medium inexperienced bell pepper thinly sliced and halved
- 8 ounces sliced child bella (cremini) mushrooms sliced
- 1 small bunch inexperienced onions thinly sliced, divided
- 14 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes drained (1 can)
- 1 1/4 cups nonfat milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 ounces mild cream cheese softened to room temperature
Deliver a big pot of salted water to a boil. Put together pasta in line with the bundle directions for al dente.
Warmth the oil in a big, deep skillet or dutch oven over medium-high warmth. Place the shrimp in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat.
As soon as the oil is scorching however not but smoking, add the shrimp.
Prepare dinner simply till they flip from grey to pink, are calmly agency, and absolutely cooked by way of, about 3 to five minutes. (Watch out to not overcook!) With a slotted spoon, instantly take away them to a big plate or giant bowl. Cut back the skillet warmth to medium.
Warmth 1 tablespoon butter over medium warmth. Add the pink, orange, and inexperienced bell peppers. Prepare dinner 3 minutes, then add the mushrooms and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté till the mushrooms are tender and have given off their liquid, about 5 extra minutes. Add the tomatoes and prepare dinner till most of their liquid has cooked off, about 3 minutes.
Add two-thirds of the inexperienced onions. With a big spoon, scoop up the greens into the plate or bowl with the shrimp.
In a big liquid measuring cup, whisk collectively the milk and cornstarch till properly mixed.
Seize a whisk and warmth the ultimate 1 tablespoon butter over medium. Pour within the milk combination and whisk till clean. Add the cream cheese in small items. (I normally tear and drop it proper in with my fingers.) Whisk continuously and convey the combination to a gradual (however not violent) simmer, and prepare dinner for two to three minutes till the sauce is barely thickened, whisking all of the whereas so that you’ve a clean, creamy sauce. Stir within the ultimate 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning.
Return the greens and shrimp to the skillet. If there are a number of juices which have collected within the backside of the bowl, you may select so as to add it if you’d like a thinner sauce or omit it for those who want a thicker sauce. Drain the noodles and add them to the skillet.
With an extended pair of tongs, toss to completely mix and coat each bit with that yummy, creamy sauce. Style and modify salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning to style. Sprinkle with remaining inexperienced onions. Serve scorching.
- *For the speediest doable prep, buy peeled and deveined shrimp. (Simple-peel and deveined would additionally work.) I purchase frozen and allow them to thaw in a single day within the fridge. Tails on or off is your choice.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate pasta in an hermetic storage container for as much as 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low warmth or within the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze pasta in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Serving: 1of 6, about 2 cupsEnergy: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 21gFats: 11gSaturated Fats: 5gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 4gTrans Fats: 0.2gLdl cholesterol: 117mgPotassium: 582mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2470IUVitamin C: 52mgCalcium: 186mgIron: 3mg
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Extra Shrimp Pasta Recipes
Unending potentialities. Listed here are extra methods to get pleasure from shrimp with pasta:
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