Description
A vibrant pasta dish packed with bold spices and succulent shrimp, perfect for impressing guests or satisfying hunger.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp crushed red chili flakes
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 13 oz linguine
- Well-salted water for boiling
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp ground chipotle or ancho chili powder
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 4 oz full-fat cream cheese, cubed and room temperature
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ½ to ¾ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste, optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives, finely chopped
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the linguine in well-salted water according to package instructions. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper, then sear until they are pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Melt butter in the same skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add tomato paste, paprika, smoked paprika, onion powder, and chipotle chili powder, cooking for a couple of minutes to build flavor.
- Pour in heavy cream and add cream cheese, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Add in cooked linguine and combine, emulsifying the sauce with reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper to taste, and add the shrimp back to the skillet. Toss to combine everything.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chives and lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
For best results, do not overcook the shrimp or pasta, and adjust the seasoning of the sauce to your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun