Cajun shrimp pasta

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta 🌾💧

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
2. Add your 8 oz of pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches perfect al dente texture.
3. Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water just in case you want to thin out your sauce later!

Step 2: Season and Sear the Shrimp 🍤🔥

1. Pat the 1 lb of shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Toss them in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning, ensuring they are evenly coated.
2. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Sear for 2 minutes per side until they turn beautiful, opaque pink and have a slight crust. Immediately transfer them to a plate so they don’t overcook and become rubbery.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics 🫑🧄

1. Turn the skillet heat down to medium and melt another 1 tablespoon of butter in the same pan (don’t wipe out those delicious flavorful browned bits left by the shrimp!).
2. Toss in the sliced red and yellow bell peppers. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to soften but still hold a bit of crunch.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for just 1 minute until highly fragrant.

Step 4: Build the Velvety Cajun Sauce 🥛🧀

1. Pour the 1.25 cups of heavy cream and ½ cup of chicken broth directly into the skillet with the peppers.
2. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer and let it bubble for 3 to 5 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.
3. Turn the heat down to low and stir in the ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety.

Step 5: Toss and Combine! 🔄🍝

1. Dump the cooked, drained pasta and the seared shrimp (along with any delicious juices left on the plate) right back into the skillet.
2. Toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes until the pasta and shrimp are beautifully coated in the creamy spicy sauce. (If the sauce feels too thick, splash in a little bit of your reserved pasta water!)
3. Taste and adjust with a pinch of salt or extra black pepper if needed.