Creamy Shrimp Pasta

Normally, I don’t like a lot of seafood, but shrimp is one of my favorites. And mix that in a pasta with a creamy sauce and I am sold! That’s why I knew this recipe for shrimp pasta would be a winner in our house.

I found the original recipe in one of my cooking magazines and knew we had to give it a try immediately. Most of the ingredients are items we usually have on hand, so we only had to grab a couple of things to make this delicious meal.

The original recipe called for green bell pepper, but we decided that a red bell pepper would be better in it. I think we also were forced into that decision because the grocery store was out of green peppers at the time. We made a few changes to the shrimp pasta as we cooked, but that’s just how I usually cook. And it gives us a unique dish to share!

Step by Step

As with any recipe, I start by getting my ingredients prepared. The bell pepper needs to be chopped, and the garlic minced. Then prepare the pasta according to the package. When you drain the pasta, reserve about 1/3 cup of the water.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add one tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the bell pepper to the pan and cook for a few minutes until they are crisp-tender.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the Cajun seasoning, flour, and shrimp and toss to coat the shrimp.

Add the shrimp and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they are done, making sure to flip the shrimp at least once while cooking.

Put the remaining oil in the skillet and add the cayenne and minced garlic. Then stir in the liquid reserved from the pasta.

Mix in the salt, bay leaves, and tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.

Discard the bay leaves and add the half-and-half, cooking until heated through.

Serve garnished with green pepper and parmesan cheese.

Recipe

Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Make this easy, one-pan shrimp pasta recipe with a Cajun flair and creamy sauce that’s sure to satisfy any seafood lover. 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: half and half, pasta, seafood, shrimp

Servings: 4 servings

5 from 9 votes

Ingredients

• 6 oz whole-grain linguine
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 2 tbsp canola oil (divided)
• 1 cup red bell pepper (chopped)
• 3/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 can diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1 green onion (sliced)
• 1 cup parmesan cheese

Recommended Equipment

• Chef Knife
• Cutting Board
• Garlic Press
• Saucepan – Medium
• Colander
• Skillet
• Mixing Bowls

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to package directions
• Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/3 cup pasta cooking liquid
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat
• Combine Cajun seasoning, flour, and shrimp in a medium bowl and toss to coat
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan
• Add the bell pepper to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, until crisp-tender
• Add shrimp mixture to the pan and cook 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are done
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan
• Add cayenne pepper and garlic
• Add reserved 1/3 cup cooking liquid, salt, bay leaves, and tomatoes, bringing it to a boil
• Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until thickened
• Discard bay leaves
• Stir in half-and-half
• Cook 1 minute over medium heat or until thoroughly heated
• Sprinkle with green pepper and parmesan cheese

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Nutrition Facts

Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 622 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 7g35%

Cholesterol 313mg104%

Sodium 1746mg73%

Potassium 587mg17%

Carbohydrates 66g22%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 43g86%

Vitamin A 2115IU42%

Vitamin C 63.8mg77%

Calcium 547mg55%

Iron 6mg33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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