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This Spicy Shrimp Pasta is just so easy and so flavorful! Succulent shrimp mixed with golden pasta, in a finger licking sauce that has a cajun kick! Make this simple and delicious pasta dish for hearty weeknight meal!
Spicy shrimp pasta walks that perfect line between comforting and flavor packed! A creamy tomato garlic sauce covers pasta noodles and juicy shrimp, it’s easy to make and perfect for hectic weeknights!
If you’re looking for more pasta recipes, why not also try my Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta and my Creamy Chicken and Tomato Pasta!
Why you’ll love this Spicy Shrimp Pasta
- The perfect Cajun shrimp! These shrimp are loaded with flavor, cajun seasoning and paprika bring a spicy twist with a subtle sweetness that balance the spice perfectly.
- An easy pasta recipe. Made mainly with kitchen staples, this recipe goes from pantry to table in 30 mins, made for busy days when you just want to whip up a tasty dish with no fuss!
- A delicious sauce. The pasta and shrimp are covered with a dreamy creamy tomato sauce, made with heavy cream, adobo peppers, tomato and garlic.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Large Shrimp
- Pasta
- Olive Oil
- Seasoning: Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, cumin powder
- Vegetables: Onions, adobo peppers (in sauce), tomatoes
- Tomato Paste
- Heavy Cream
- Pasta Water
- Garlic
- Fresh Parsley
How to make this Spicy Shrimp Pasta
- Cook the pasta – Cook al dente, according to package instructions.
- Marinate the shrimp – In a bowl add your marinade ingredients then the shrimp.
- Cook the shrimp – In a skillet with oil, add the shrimp and cook for 5-7 mins. Set aside.
- Make the sauce – In the skillet, cook the onions until translucent then add in the sauce ingredients. Cook on low heat for 5-7 mins.
- Combine – Add in the shrimp and pasta, cover and allow to simmer for 3-5 mins.
- Garnish, serve and enjoy!
Recipe notes and tips
- Make sure you have enough water to cover the noodles.
- Stir your noodles immediately after you drop them in the water, to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pot.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. You want to see the shrimp turn an opaque pink and form a ‘C’ shape.
- Use uncooked shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined
- The spice levels are medium, if you want it more spicy, feel free to add in some chili flakes.
- Make sure to reserve some pasta water to add to the sauce, this gives it a full bodied flavor!
- Add a spritz of fresh lime juice for a tart twist that compliments the Cajun seasoning.
FAQ’s
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes indeed, it’s what makes this recipe so perfect for busy weeknight. Just buy a bag of shrimp for the freezer and you have them on hand to whip this up.
You will need to defrost the shrimp before using them in the recipe. The simplest way is to transfer shrimp to a bowl in the fridge overnight.
If you are in a rush, 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 ,then swap the water with new cold water and allow to soak for another 10-20 mins.
Should I cook the shrimp with tails on or off?
Cook your shrimp with the tails on because the tail shells have flavor that blend into the shrimp meat, giving you a more robust shrimp flavor. It’s a bit like cooking meat on the done. You can remove the tails after the shrimp has cooked, if desired.
How spicy is this Spicy Shrimp Pasta?
This is the best bit, the spice is totally customizable. At the moment you get a medium heat but feel free to up the Cajun seasoning or drop it a bit.
If you aren’t sure how much is right for you, go lower and increase from there. But you’ll enjoy this recipe whatever the spice level!
Other shrimp recipes
- Shrimp Taco Bowl Recipe
- Shrimp Fajita Sheet Pan
- Healthy Shrimp Stuffed Avocado
- Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Spicy Shrimp Pasta recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it and share it with your friends and family!
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Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1.5 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Pasta
- 10 oz. linguini pasta, uncooked
- 1 small onion, petite diced
- 2 tbsps. olive oil
- 4 oz. adobo peppers in adobo sauce, finely diced
- 1 tsp black pepper, or less to taste
- 1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tbsps. tomato paste
- 1 cup tomato, petite diced
- 1.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup pasta water, preserved from boiling pasta
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped, for garnishing.
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente, according to package instructions.
- In a large bowl, marinate the shrimp.
- Heat a large skillet and add 1 tbsp. of olive oil and add in the shrimp to cook until almost fully cooked but not all the way through. About 5-7 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 2 tbsps. olive oil and let it come to medium high heat. Add in the diced onion and continue cooking until the onion is tender or translucent.
- Add in the tomatoes and sauté for a few minutes. Then add in the tomato paste, spices, salt, adobo sauce, pasta water and cream. Mix well and let them simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes until the sauce cooks well and becomes nice and creamy.
- Add in the cooked pasta and shrimp backed into the pan. Mix everything together to coat the pasta well. Cover and let it simmer on low heat for another 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with some fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Make sure you have enough water to cover the noodles.
- Stir your noodles immediately after you drop them in the water, to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pot.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. You want to see the shrimp turn an opaque pink and form a ‘C’ shape.
- Use uncooked shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined
- The spice levels are medium, if you want it more spicy, feel free to add in some chili flakes.
- Make sure to reserve some pasta water to add to the sauce, this gives it a full bodied flavor!
- Add a spritz of fresh lime juice for a tart twist that compliments the Cajun seasoning.
