Simple Spicy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

This simple 30-minute Spicy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is the perfect way to kick things up on those mundane weeknights.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta Gives You Restaurant Vibes on Any Given Weeknight.

Spicy, tomato-y, noodle-slurping goodness. This dish is a TREAT. It’s light on sauce but heavy on flavor, and it really shakes things up on pasta night by adding the bold and fiery flavors of Cajun seasoning. Afterall, Cajun cuisine is adventurous with its West African, French, and Spanish roots! So let’s dive in.

We Go Light on the Ingredients With This One.

A lot of Cajun pasta recipes include chicken and a heavy creamy sauce. Which is a total dream, obviously. But I wanted to offer up a lighter version that packs just as much flavor—and this is it, friends. You won’t be disappointed. The tangy sauce is a simple simmered blend of veggies that coat your noodles lightly, and every bite of seasoned shrimp hits you with a wave of welcomed heat. It’s so damn good. Here’s what you’ll need to make this Spicy Cajun Shrimp Pasta:

• Spaghetti, or another long pasta like linguine
• Uncooked shrimp
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Onion (red, yellow, or white will work)
• Green bell pepper
• Grape tomatoes
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Cajun seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Fresh basil
• Sea salt and cracked black pepper

How to Make Spicy Cajun Shrimp Pasta.

We can all agree that dumping a jar of sauce over some cooked pasta is a painless and undemanding way to eat. But with just a few steps and minimal effort, you can really boost your pasta game. Buying shell-on shrimp will create a little more work since you have to remove the shells and devein the shrimp. But if you buy them shelled, it’s easy peasy. Here’s the gist on how to make this fiery dish:

1. Clean and season your shrimp. If you have shell-on shrimp, take the shells off and devein the shrimp with a paring knife. Pat the shrimp dry and place them into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle a tad of olive oil over them and sprinkle on some Cajun seasoning. Give it all a toss to coat the shrimp and set them aside.
2. Get the sauce started. Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the garlic and onions. Simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Then, add the diced tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and the bell pepper. Add the Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to the pan and stir. Let everything simmer for a good 10-15 minutes. The grape tomatoes should soften up and burst.
3. Spaghetti! While the sauce simmers, cook and drain your pasta, then transfer your pasta back to the pot.
4. Throw it all together. Toss the chopped fresh basil into the pasta sauce, then pour the sauce into the pot over the pasta. Give it a stir.
5. Finally, the shrimp. In the same pan you cooked the sauce, add a smidgen more oil, then add the seasoned shrimp to the pan. Cook the shrimp for about 3-4 minutes or until it’s opaque and pink in color, flipping halfway through.
6. Dig in! Plate the pasta and top with the shrimp, or you can toss the shrimp into the pasta and plate it. Whatever you prefer!

Equipment You’ll Need:

• Sharp knife
• Cutting Board
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring spoons
• Paring knife (if deveining your shrimp)
• Cast iron skillet or Non-stick skillet
• Pasta pot
• Wooden spoon
• Colander

Recipe Tips + Tricks.

1. Speed up the prep process by getting shrimp that’s already shelled and deveined.
2. Add some chopped celery to incorporate the holy trinity of Cajun cooking (a mix of onions, bell peppers, celery).
3. Swap canned diced tomatoes for canned crushed tomatoes for a saucier pasta.

Some More Easy Recipes for Shrimp Lovers:

• Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
• Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Chilies
• Spicy Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi
• Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry with Ramen Noodles

Have You Made This Recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR rating & commenting below with feedback!

You can also show off your creations on Instagram by tagging @killing__thyme