Description
Quick Creamy Cajun Pasta is a flavorful and spicy dish perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender pasta with a luscious creamy sauce and bold Cajun spices, it delivers a gourmet taste with minimal prep time. This one-pan meal with versatile ingredients is family-friendly, satisfying both kids and adults with a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced, or 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Seasoning & Sauce
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic, herbs)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the bell peppers, onions, and parsley. Slice chicken breasts or peel and devein shrimp, then generously season with Cajun seasoning to infuse spicy flavor.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water for the sauce, and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Protein: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, onions, and bell peppers and cook until soft and fragrant. Add the seasoned chicken or shrimp and cook until seared and fully cooked.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat and pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine. Sprinkle in additional Cajun seasoning and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Combine and Finish: Toss the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving for a fresh, colorful finish.
Notes
- Season well with Cajun spices to ensure depth and heat.
- Use fresh garlic for enhanced aroma and flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Cook protein separately to ensure even cooking and caramelization.
- Add Parmesan cheese gradually to keep sauce smooth and avoid clumping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, spicy pasta, one-pan meal, chicken pasta, shrimp pasta, creamy sauce, Cajun seasoning