Cajun Shrimp Pasta

CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA IN A SPICY (CUSTOMIZABLE), FLAVORFUL CREAM SAUCE ON YOUR TABLE IN JUST OVER 30 MINUTES!

This Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe will have you saying goodbye to restaurant versions and hello to this epically delicious recipe!  It’s loaded with fresh, colorful veggies, and juicy succulent shrimp smothered in a vibrant, creamy Cajun sauce with just the right amount of kick.  This deceptively easy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is quick to prepare with completely customize heat, veggies and you can even swap the shrimp for chicken or sausage AND/OR the cream for milk + cornstarch (variations, tips and tricks included).   No matter how you choose to serve this Cajun and Shrimp Pasta, your family will fall in love with this luxurious, gourmet tasting meal that comes together in minutes!

 

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Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe

Cajun Shrimp Pasta is one of my favorite creamy, comforting pastas of all time.  It’s the pasta I find myself ordering at restaurants again, and again, and again.  The plump, juicy shrimp, the rich, creamy sauce, the tender-crisp veggies, and most importantly, the kickin’ flavor– they just get me.  And now you can make this better-than-restaurant version in your slippers!

Not only is this creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe comfortingly cravilicious but it’s uber quick to prepare – my kind of dinner!  In fact, pasta and shrimp are one of my favorite dinner to make when I’m feeling lazy.  Some of my favorite shrimp dinners include: Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Fettuccine, Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp, Shrimp Fajitas, Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos, Sun-Dried  Tomato Basil Shrimp Pasta, Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli Alfredo, Shrimp Scampi and One Pot Lemon Garlic Cream Ravioli with Shrimp and of course this new Cajun Shrimp Pasta!

MORE REASONS TO LOVE CREAMY CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA:

• FLAVORFUL.  This Cajun Shrimp Pasta is seasoned with Cajun seasoning to give it the signature kickin’ flavor, but is further layered aromatic onions, garlic, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, nutty Parmesan and a splash of lime juice, to awaken all of the flavors.  The resulting sauce is spicy, creamy, garlicky, with a pop of freshness.  Its a hypnotic blend will have you savoring each rewardingly complex bite.
• VERSATILE.  This Cajun Shrimp Pasta can work with whatever you have on hand.  Swap the protein, veggies, pasta to suit your pantry, fridge or mood.
• QUICK & EASY!  This pasta doesn’t require any chopping raw chicken/meat so the prep is very minimal. To make, the shrimp is tossed in Cajun seasoning, garlic and a splash of lime juice then cooked to blackened perfection.  The onion and bell peppers are sautéed with Cajun seasoning then simmered with fire roasted tomatoes, chicken broth and heavy cream (skinny milk substitute available), then infused with Parmesan. Finally, the fettuccine and succulent, juicy shrimp are tossed in the flavorful sauce to achieve rich, creamy, dreamy, flavorful, perfection.
• CUSTOMIZABLE HEAT.  I realize there is a large range when it comes to how spicy people like their food – and this Cajun Shrimp Pasta accommodates them all!  It can be fiery hot or as family friendly as you like.  I’ve given specific directions in the recipe, but essentially you can customize the heat by using or omitting cayenne pepper rand adjusting the amount of Cajun seasoning in the sauce

CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA RECIPE INGREDIENTS

This easy Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe requires pantry friendly ingredients so you always have everything on hand for a quick dinner. You will need:

FOR THE SHRIMP:

• I suggest uncooked shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined.  Buying prepared shrimp makes your job a snap because all you have to do is defrost the shrimp. 
• I like to use medium shrimp, 31-40 count shrimp (which means there are 31-40 shrimp in a pound), so you get shrimp in every bite without having to pause to cut up the shrimp.  If you only have larger shrimp on hand, that will work as well, you will just have to cut as you go.

FOR THE PASTA:

• Recommended pasta:  fettuccine!  Fettuccine is traditionally served with Cajun Shrimp Pasta in restaurants for good reason – the long silky noodles beautifully cradle the rich sauce and the noodles are thick enough (as opposed to spaghetti or angel hair) to stand up against the peppers and shrimp.  
• Different pasta shapes:  You may also use short pastas such as penne, fusilli, etc. if that’s all you have on hand but they don’t deliverer the same luxurious, slurpilicous experience.  Go fettuccine if you can.
• Pastas types: You can use classic fettuccine, whole-wheat fettuccine or gluten free fettuccine.  I haven’t tried it with zoodles or spaghetti squash but I imagine it would work well.

FOR THE SEASONINGS:

• Cajun seasoning.  Is a blend of spices, most notably paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, oregano and cayenne pepper, which give this Cajun Shrimp Pasta its signature flavor.  You can use either homemade Cajun Seasoning or store-bought.  I tend to use store-bought in this pasta because there are a lot of ingredients going on so it’s a nice shortcut.  Just be aware that store-bought Cajun seasonings can vary significantly in both saltiness and spiciness.  So, if you aren’t as familiar with your Cajun seasoning, you may want to start with less Cajun seasoning and less salt – then add more to taste. 
• Cayenne pepper.  Is optional if you would like spicier Cajun Shrimp Pasta.  You can add it at the end if you aren’t sure how spicy the Cajun seasoning will make it.
• Salt and pepper.  Every recipe needs salt and pepper!  As previously mentioned, some Cajun seasonings are saltier than others, so when in doubt, start with less and more to taste.
• Lime juice.  Please don’t skip!  It cuts through the heat with pleasant burst of freshness.  Either fresh or botted work great.

FOR THE VEGGIES/AROMATICS:

• Bell peppers.  Are another trademark of Cajun Shrimp pasta.  You will need three small to medium bell peppers.  I usually go for one red, orange and yellow but you may use any color combo you like.   
• Red onion.  Half of one red onion will do the trick.  I don’t recommend substituting the red onion as its sweet flavor beautifully complements the heat.
• Garlic.  I use both garlic powder and fresh garlic in this recipe but you may substitute the fresh garlic with an additional ½ teaspoon garlic powder.  Garlic powder is used to season the shrimp because fresh garlic can burn when we’re going for the blackened shrimp, whereas fresh garlic is ideal for the sauce.  Of course, you can use more or less garlic according to your personal taste.
• Fire roasted diced tomatoes.  Are located next to the traditional diced tomatoes. Fire roasted tomatoes are NOT spicy – the fire simply means they have been roasted which gives them a complex smokiness. If you can’t find fire roasted diced tomatoes, then traditional diced tomatoes work just fine.

FOR THE SAUCE:

• Olive oil.  Use quality oil for the best flavor.  You may also substitute with your favorite cooking oil.
• Butter.  Use unsalted butter so we can control the level of salt.  You may also substitute with olive oil.
• Flour.  I use all-purpose flour but I’m sure gluten free flour would work as well. 
• Chicken broth.  Is more flavorful than just milk or heavy cream. Make sure you use low sodium broth so the Cajun Shrimp Pasta isn’t too salty.
• Heavy cream.  Is also called “heavy whipping cream.” Just ½ cup adds that something-something luxurious that elevates the entire dish. If you’re trying to save some calories you can use half a cup of half and half or milk whisked with 1 teaspoon cornstarch.  If you use the latter two options, make sure to simmer the sauce for a minute or so to thicken.
• Parmesan cheese.  Infuses the sauce with its fantastic salty, nuttiness to transform it into an Alfredo-esque sauce.  For best results and the BEST Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe, use ONLY freshly grated Parmesan cheese.  It is much more flavorful and melts into silky oblivion unlike powdered or pre-shredded cheese.

Can I make this Gluten free?

Yes!  It is actually quite easy to make gluten free Cajun Shrimp Pasta.  First, use your favorite gluten free pasta.  Next, swap the flour with your favorite all purpose gluten free flour OR whisk 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon into the chicken broth before adding to the skillet. 

How to Make Cajun Shrimp Pasta

STEP 1:  Marinate Shrimp

• Begin by adding shrimp to a medium bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder.  Set aside.
• While the shrimp is marinating, start cooking the pasta and chopping the bell peppers, onions and garlic.  As soon as you’re done, you can cook the shrimp.

STEP 2:  COOK PASTA 

• Cook pasta just until al dente according to package directions.  Al dente means the pasta will still have a little bite. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining pasta.  This will give you the option to thin the sauce if needed with reserved pasta water. 

STEP 3:  COOK SHRIMP

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet.  You will want to work in two batches unless you use large shrimp.  
• Add shrimp and spread into an even layer.  Cook 3-4 minutes, just until shrimp are opaque and cooked through, flipping half way through.  
• Scrape shrimp and juices into a bowl. Set aside.  After shrimp is cool enough to handle, you can chop tails off if you desire.

STEP 4:  Saute ONION AND BELL PEPPERS

• To the now empty pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. 
• Add onions, bell peppers, 1-3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (see notes), ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and optional cayenne pepper (if you want it spicy); cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic, sprinkle in flour and cook 1 additional minute.

STEP 5:  Add Sauce InGREDIENTS

• Turn heat to low and slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth.  Stir in diced tomatoes.
• Turn heat to medium high and bring the sauce to a simmer. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, approximately 3-5 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and stir in lime juice followed by Parmesan cheese until melted. 

STEP 6:  COMBINE

• Stir in pasta and shrimp until well coated in sauce, adding additional reserved pasta water or heavy cream if needed to reach desired consistency. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper and/or cayenne pepper to taste.
• Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese, fresh parsley and lime juice (optional).

HOW TO DEFROST SHRIMP

You will want to use raw shrimp for this Cajun Shrimp recipe.  I typically use frozen shrimp and simply defrost it before using.  This way, I can make this pasta without running to the grocery store. There are two options for defrosting your shrimp.

• Easy Defrost: The easiest way to defrost your shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. Simply remove one-pound frozen shrimp (if it’s more than a one-pound package) to a covered bowl and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
• Quick Defrost: Place the frozen shrimp in a colander then place the colander in a large bowl. Fill the bowl with cold tap water and let it sit for 10 minutes.   After 10 minutes, replace the water with new cold tap water and submerge the shrimp again.  Let shrimp sit an additional 10- 20 minutes.  If the shrimp isn’t completely defrosted, then repeat.

HOW DO YOU CLEAN SHRIMP BEFORE COOKING?

I like to purchase shrimp that is already peeled and deveined so all the work is done for me!   If you purchase shrimp that is not deveined, it will still have the dark, sandy intestinal tract running along the back of the shrimp just beneath the surface.  Sometimes it will be very dark and sometimes it will be harder to spot depending on when the shrimp ate last.

While eating the shrimp with the veins won’t harm you, it can add grittiness and distract from the clean shrimp taste so I highly recommended removing it.  To devein shrimp:

1. First, locate the vein in the shrimp running along its back.
2. Make a shallow cut and use the tip of the knife to lift it out.
3. The veins and shells can then be thrown away.
4. Rinse the shrimp and lay on a paper towel to dry.

SHOULD I COOK SHRIMP WITH TAIL ON OR OFF?

Cook your shrimp with the tails on because the tail shells contain flavor that seeps out and we get more robust shrimp flavor, much like cooking meat on the bone.  Once your shrimp is cooked and resting you can remove the tails if you desire. 

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY SHRIMP IS DONE COOKING?

• Color:  Raw shrimp starts off translucent gray and as it cooks, it turns pink and opaque with some pink and bright red accents.  You will want to remove the shrimp from the skillet as soon as it is fully opaque without any gray left.  Look at the crevice in the back of the shrimp where the vein was removed.  When the base of this crevice becomes opaque, the shrimp is done.
• Shape:  You can also check the shape of your shrimp but this is not as good of an indicator as color.  As shrimp cook, their muscle contract which cause them to curl.  As soon as the shrimp begin to curl, they are usually done cooking.  Some claim that perfectly cooked shrimp have  “C” shape while over cooked shrimp have an “O” shape.  I think you’ll find that almost all shrimp, maybe with the exception of jumbo shrimp, still have an “O” shape without being overcooked.

HOW SPICY IS THIS CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA?

The heat level for this Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe is completely customizable.  As written, I find 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to be on the spicy side as you would expect from a Cajun pasta – just how we like it!   

To customize the heat level, I recommend adding 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning to the shrimp then adding 1-3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning to the sauce (1 being mild, 3 being moderate). If you don’t like heat and want this very kid friendly, then omit the cayenne pepper. 

If you aren’t sure how much Cajun seasoning to use then start with less then add more to taste at the end of cooking because you can always add more heat but it is hard to take away!

Tips and Tricks for Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• Don’t over marinate shrimp. Don’t marinate shrimp longer than 30 minutes or the lime juice can break down the shrimp proteins and make them mushy.
• Use a heavy bottom skillet. A cast iron skillet is ideal for blackened shrimp because it conducts heat evenly and gets very hot. Wait until the skillet is very hot before adding the shrimp to achieve the coveted blackened crust.
• Don’t overcrowd shrimp.  If you use medium-size shrimp, you will likely have to cook your shrimp in two batches so the shrimp can be spread out into an even layer to sear and not just steam.
• Don’t over-cook shrimp.  Cook shrimp just until opaque for the juiciest shrimp. 
• Cook shrimp with tails on.  I recommend cooking your shrimp with the tails on because the tail shells contain flavor that seeps out and we get more robust shrimp flavor. Once your shrimp is cooked and resting you can remove the tails if you desire.
• Salt pasta water.  You should always salt your pasta water – it is the one chance you have for the flavor to penetrate the pasta and enhance the subtle pasta flavor – you can taste the difference.  Use 1 tablespoon salt for 6 quarts of water.
• Don’t overcook pasta. I recommend testing your pasta 2 or 3 minutes before the box recommends – pasta should be al dente– meaning it should still be a little firm in the center/ have a “bite” to it.  
• Stop pasta from cooking.  If your pasta is done before your sauce, then rinse in cool water to prevent it from continuing to cook.  Don’t worry about the pasta being cold because the sauce will warm it right up once combined.
• Prevent pasta from clumping.  If you’re not using the cooked fettuccine right away, toss it with a little olive oil.  This will prevent it from sticking together.
• Thin sauce if needed.  The sauce can become too thick if its simmered at too high of heat or for too long.  But don’t worry, it’s SO easy to fix!  Simply stir in a little reserved pasta water after you combine it with the fettuccine until it reaches desired consistency. For an extra decadent pasta, add additional heavy cream to thin.
• Garnish!  Garnishing your individual servings of Cajun Shrimp Pasta with additional freshly grated Parmesan, lime juice and fresh parsley really enhances the flavors and takes this pasta to a whole new level!

CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA RECIPE VARIATIONS:

This Cajun Shrimp Pasta is delicious as written or feel free to customize it with different protein, veggies, etc.  Here are a few ideas:

• Can I use a different protein?  I know this is Cajun SHRIMP Pasta, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn it into Cajun Chicken Pasta – or even smoked sausage!  Toss bite-size raw pieces of chicken breasts or thighs with the shrimp marinade and continue with the recipe. 
• Can I make it vegetarian?  You can make this pasta vegetarian by omitting the shrimp – although you will miss the succulent morsels!  You can add in firm tofu or extra veggies such as mushrooms or zucchini.  If you skip the shrimp, be aware you are skipping 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (from the marinade), so you may want to add additional Cajun seasoning to the sauce.
• Can I add different veggies?  Although bell peppers are a favorite in Cajun Shrimp Pasta, you can still use different veggies such as zucchini, asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, green beans, etc. You can also add roasted bell peppers – yum!
• Can I use different tomatoes?  Yes!  I like fire roasted tomatoes for their complex smokiness and because they taste less acidic, but you can swap them for regular diced tomatoes if you prefer or fresh tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes. You will probably want to use less sun-dried tomatoes because they have a stronger flavor.
• Can I use a different pasta?  Absolutely!  I am partial to fettuccine in this creamy sauce, but you may also use penne, cellentani, or any other larger pasta that can stand up against the hearty sauce. ‘
• Do I have to use heavy cream?  Heavy cream adds body and richness to this Cajun Shrimp Pasta, but if you’re trying to keep it lighter, then you can swap the heavy cream for half and half or milk whisked with 1 teaspoon cornstarch. 
• Can I make it spicier?  Absolutely!  Add additional cayenne pepper to taste but be careful, a little goes a long way!

HOW LONG IS CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA RECIPE GOOD FOR?

Cajun Shrimp Pasta should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  When properly stored, it is good for up to three days.

HOW DO I REHEAT CREAMY CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA?

This Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe reheats well so you can enjoy leftovers for days!  Just be aware you always want to make sure your pasta is cooked al dente, especially if you are going to be reheating. 

• Microwave:  Add a splash of chicken broth, water or milk to your individual serving; no need to stir it in, yet.  Microwave for one minute, stir, then continue to heat at 30 second intervals until warmed through.
• Stove:  For larger portions, reheat pasta on the stove.  You will need to add a splash of chicken broth or milk to thin the sauce as it will have thickened in the refrigerator. 

CAN I FREEZE CREAMY CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA RECIPE?

I do not recommend freezing Cajun Shrimp Pasta because the creamy sauce can break and become a funny texture.  The bell peppers will also become mushy when frozen.  Also, if your shrimp has been frozen, you definitely don’t want to freeze because previously frozen seafood should not be re-frozen.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA?

We love this Cajun Shrimp Pasta with a big salad, crusty bread and/or any of the following:

• Salad:  This Cajun Shrimp Pasta is beautifully creamy so it pairs nicely with a fresh, crunchy salad such as Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Ranch, Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Apple Salad, Pear Salad, Roasted Butternut Squash Salad or Green Bean Salad.
• Bread:  Mopping up Cajun Shrimp Pasta with bread is a must!  We love Dinner Rolls, Garlic Bread, and Garlic Parmesan Butter Breadsticks.
• Fruit:  Bright, fresh fruit is a delectable reprieve from the creamy, flavorful pasta.  Serve this Cajun Shrimp Pasta with your favorite fruit such as pineapple, grapes, melon, etc. or try any of my favorite fruit salads such as Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette, Winter Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Poppy Seed Vinaigrette, Tropical Fruit Salad, or Pina Colada Fruit Salad. 

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Cajun Shrimp Pasta

This Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe will have you saying goodbye to restaurant versions and hello to this epically delicious recipe! It’s loaded with fresh, colorful veggies, and juicy succulent shrimp smothered in a vibrant, creamy Cajun sauce with just the right amount of kick. This deceptively easy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is quick to prepare with completely customize heat, veggies and you can even swap the shrimp for chicken or sausage (variations, tips and tricks included). No matter how you choose to serve this Cajun and Shrimp Pasta, your family will fall in love with this luxurious, gourmet tasting meal that comes together in minutes!

Servings: 6 servings

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• 1 pound medium raw shrimp shelled & deveined
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning divided
• 2 tablespoons lime juice divided
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
• 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
• 2 tablespoon butter divided
• 1/2 large red onion thinly sliced then halved
• 3 medium bell peppers (any color combo) thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3-4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 14 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes, well drained
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Optional Garnishes

• freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• fresh parsley
• lime juice

Instructions

• Add shrimp to a medium bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Set aside.
• Cook fettuccine in salted water according to package directions just until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water then drain and set aside.
• Working in two batches, melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat in a large heavy bottom skillet. Add shrimp and spread into an even layer. Cook 3-4 minutes, just until shrimp are opaque and cooked through, flipping half way through. Scrape shrimp and juices into a bowl. Set aside. After shrimp is cool enough to handle, you can chop tails off if you desire.
• To the now empty pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, bell peppers, 1-3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (see notes), ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and optional cayenne pepper (if you want it spicy); cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic, sprinkle in flour and cook 1 additional minute.
• Turn heat to low and whisk in chicken broth, and heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth. Stir in diced tomatoes.
• Increase heat to medium high and bring the sauce to a simmer. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, approximately 3-5 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and stir in lime juice followed by Parmesan cheese until melted. Stir in the cooked shrimp, and pasta until well coated in sauce, adding additional reserved pasta water or heavy cream if needed to reach desired consistency. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper and/or cayenne pepper to taste.
• Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese, fresh parsley and lime juice (optional).

Notes

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE HEAT

• As written, the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper which I consider medium spicy and what you would expect from a Cajun pasta.
• You can make the pasta less spicy by omitting the cayenne pepper and using 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning with the shrimp and only 1-2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning with the sauce (instead of 3).
• At the end of cooking, if you want more heat, you can always add more Cajun seasoning and/or cayenne pepper.

Tips and Tricks for Cajun Shrimp Pasta

• No cream option.   If you’re trying to save some calories, you can replace the half and half with milk whisked with 1 teaspoon cornstarch.  Add when you add the chicken broth and simmer until thickened. 
• Don’t over marinate shrimp. Don’t marinate shrimp longer than 30 minutes or the lime juice can break down the shrimp proteins and make them mushy.
• Use a heavy bottom skillet. A cast iron skillet is ideal for blackened shrimp because it conducts heat evenly and gets very hot. Wait until the skillet is very hot before adding the shrimp to achieve the coveted blackened crust.
• Don’t overcrowd shrimp.  If you use medium-size shrimp, you will likely have to cook your shrimp in two batches so the shrimp can be spread out into an even layer to sear and not just steam.
• Don’t over-cook shrimp.  Cook shrimp just until opaque for the juiciest shrimp. 
• Cook shrimp with tails on.  I recommend cooking your shrimp with the tails on because the tail shells contain flavor that seeps out and we get more robust shrimp flavor. Once your shrimp is cooked and resting you can remove the tails if you desire.
• Salt pasta water.  You should always salt your pasta water – it is the one chance you have for the flavor to penetrate the pasta and enhance the subtle pasta flavor – you can taste the difference.  Use 1 tablespoon salt for 6 quarts of water.
• Don’t overcook pasta. I recommend testing your pasta 2 or 3 minutes before the box recommends – pasta should be al dente– meaning it should still be a little firm in the center/ have a “bite” to it.  
• Stop pasta from cooking.  If your pasta is done before your sauce, then rinse in cool water to prevent it from continuing to cook.  Don’t worry about the pasta being cold because the sauce will warm it right up once combined.
• Prevent pasta from clumping.  If you’re not using the cooked fettuccine right away, toss it with a little olive oil.  This will prevent it from sticking together.
• Thin sauce if needed.  The sauce can become too thick if its simmered at too high of heat or for too long.  But don’t worry, it’s SO easy to fix!  Simply stir in a little reserved pasta water after you combine it with the fettuccine until it reaches desired consistency. For an extra decadent pasta, add additional heavy cream to thin.
• Garnish!  Garnishing your individual servings of Cajun Shrimp Pasta with additional freshly grated Parmesan, lime juice and fresh parsley really enhances the flavors and takes this pasta to a whole new level!

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