Go Back
To make Cajun shrimp Alfredo, you need these simple and tasty ingredients: - 12 oz fettuccine pasta - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning - 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 cup spinach, chopped - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish These items create a creamy and flavorful dish. Fettuccine pasta gives a hearty base. Large shrimp bring a nice texture and taste. Cajun seasoning adds a spicy kick. Olive oil helps in cooking and flavor. Minced garlic gives a wonderful aroma. Heavy cream makes the sauce rich. Parmesan cheese adds a savory depth. Spinach adds color and nutrients. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. Fresh parsley is a beautiful and tasty garnish. This mix of ingredients makes the meal not just good but great. Each one plays a key role in creating a delicious dinner. You can find most of these items in your kitchen. If not, they are easy to get at any grocery store. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, fill a large pot with water and add a generous amount of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. This salted water adds flavor to the pasta as it cooks. Once boiling, add 12 ounces of fettuccine pasta. Cook according to package instructions until it's al dente, which is usually around 8-10 minutes. Al dente means the pasta will still have a slight bite to it. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. This water can help adjust the sauce later. While the pasta cooks, grab 1 pound of large shrimp. Make sure they are peeled and deveined. Place the shrimp in a bowl and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning over them. Toss the shrimp well until they are fully coated in the seasoning. This gives the shrimp a bold, spicy flavor that complements the creamy sauce. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp. Sauté them for about 2-3 minutes on each side. They should turn pink and opaque when cooked. After cooking, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Then, add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, but be careful not to burn it. Next, pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Add 1 cup of chopped spinach and stir until it wilts. Now, it’s time to combine everything. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained fettuccine to the creamy sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water little by little until you reach your desired consistency. Finally, taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. To get the best Cajun flavor, adjust your seasoning levels. Start with two tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. Taste your dish as you cook. If you want more spice, add a bit more. Remember, you can always add more, but you cannot take it away! Time management is key in cooking. Cook your pasta while you prepare the shrimp. This way, everything comes together quickly. It helps to have all your ingredients ready before you start. This makes cooking smooth and fun. The right sauce consistency makes your dish shine. Use reserved pasta water to help thin the sauce if it's too thick. Start by adding a little at a time. Stir well and check the texture. You want a creamy sauce that hugs the pasta. If you need to thicken the sauce, try using a cornstarch slurry. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water. Add this to the sauce while it simmers. It will help you achieve that perfect creamy texture. Garnishing with parsley adds a pop of color. It also gives your dish a fresh taste. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top of your Cajun shrimp Alfredo just before serving. When serving, use wide, shallow bowls. This helps show off the vibrant colors of the dish. You can also add a slice of lemon on the side for a zesty touch. This makes the dish look great and adds extra flavor! Pro Tips Perfectly Cooked Shrimp: Be careful not to overcook the shrimp; they should be pink and opaque after about 2-3 minutes on each side. Adjusting Sauce Consistency: If the Alfredo sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until you reach your desired creaminess. Fresh Spinach Alternative: Feel free to substitute with kale or arugula for a different flavor and texture. Seasoning Balance: Always taste your dish before serving; adjust salt and pepper to enhance the Cajun flavors. {{image_2}} You can switch out shrimp for chicken or tofu. Chicken works well if you cut it into small pieces. Season it with Cajun spices like you do with shrimp. Cook until it reaches 165°F. Tofu is a great choice for a vegan meal. Use firm tofu and press it to remove extra water. Then, cube it and toss it with Cajun seasoning. Sauté until golden brown. If you need a gluten-free meal, use gluten-free pasta. Many brands offer options that cook just like regular pasta. For a dairy-free sauce, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. These alternatives can still give you that rich and creamy feel. You can enhance your Cajun Shrimp Alfredo with extra veggies or herbs. Bell peppers or mushrooms can add a nice crunch. Sauté them with garlic before adding cream. Fresh herbs like basil or thyme bring a burst of flavor. Stir them in at the end for a fresh taste. You can also add more greens like kale or more spinach for extra nutrients. To keep your Cajun shrimp Alfredo fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container. This helps to lock in flavors and moisture. Place the container in the fridge. It will stay good for up to three days. If you notice any changes in smell or texture, it’s best to toss it out. You can reheat your dish in two main ways: the microwave or stovetop. For the microwave, place the leftovers in a bowl. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat for one to two minutes, stirring halfway. This keeps it creamy. For the stovetop, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or cream to help restore the sauce. Stir gently until warmed through. This method keeps the dish from drying out. If you want to freeze Cajun shrimp Alfredo, start by letting it cool completely. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Seal it tightly. You can also use freezer bags for easy storage. It will last for up to three months in the freezer. To thaw, move it to the fridge overnight. For a quick option, you can thaw it in the microwave. After thawing, reheat it on the stovetop with a splash of cream or water to bring back the sauce’s creaminess. Enjoy! You can use several alternatives for heavy cream. Here are some options: - Milk and butter: Mix 3/4 cup of milk with 1/4 cup of melted butter. - Coconut milk: Use it for a dairy-free option. - Greek yogurt: Mix with a bit of milk for a creamy texture. - Silken tofu: Blend until smooth for a vegan choice. These options will give you creaminess, but the taste may change. Cajun Shrimp Alfredo has a medium heat level. The Cajun seasoning adds flavor and spice. You can adjust the heat by: - Using less Cajun seasoning if you prefer mild flavors. - Adding cayenne pepper for extra heat. Taste the dish as you cook to find your perfect level of spice. Yes, you can prepare Cajun Shrimp Alfredo in advance. Here are some tips: - Cook the pasta: You can cook it a few hours before serving. - Store the sauce and shrimp: Keep them separate from the pasta. - Reheat: Warm the sauce on low heat. Add a splash of water or milk if it thickens. This dish tastes great even after reheating! This blog post covered how to make Cajun Shrimp Alfredo. We explored key ingredients like fettuccine, shrimp, and creamy sauce. I shared steps to prepare and cook each component for great taste. You learned tips to adjust spice levels and achieve the perfect sauce. I also highlighted variations and best practices for storing leftovers. Try this dish your way, and enjoy the bold flavors. Cooking is fun, and you can easily impress with Cajun Shrimp Alfredo. Get ready to make your kitchen your favorite place!

Cajun Shrimp Alfredo

A creamy and spicy pasta dish featuring Cajun-seasoned shrimp and fettuccine.
Print Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz fettuccine pasta
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup spinach, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the fettuccine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
  • In a bowl, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning until well coated.
  • In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
  • Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add the chopped spinach and stir until wilted.
  • Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained fettuccine, tossing to coat with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  • Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  • Divide the Cajun shrimp Alfredo into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to taste.
Keyword Alfredo, Cajun, pasta, shrimp