Say goodbye to dish duty—your dinner hero has arrived. This One-Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta delivers bold, creamy, spicy Cajun flavors in just one skillet, turning dinnertime from a chore into a flavorful joyride. Juicy shrimp, al dente pasta, smoky spices, and luscious cream sauce come together effortlessly, leaving you with just one pot to clean. Could life get any better? Nope, didn’t think so.

Craving more bold flavors with minimal cleanup? Don’t miss our beloved Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas or fiery Spicy Korean Beef Bulgogi Bowls. Otherwise, grab your skillet—things are about to get delicious.

One-Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta served in a skillet with creamy sauce and fresh parsley

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Bold & Spicy: Just enough kick to excite your taste buds and creamy enough to soothe your soul—this pasta is anything but ordinary.

All the Flavor, None of the Hassle

Let’s cut straight to it—cleaning dishes sucks. Thankfully, this One-Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta is here to save the day (and your sanity). Imagine spicy, succulent shrimp tossed with perfectly al dente pasta, smoky Cajun seasoning, vibrant veggies, and a silky cream sauce—all prepared in one pan. It’s spicy, creamy comfort food at its best, proving that bold flavors don’t have to mean a mountain of dishes.

Love one-pot magic? Check out our legendary Beer-Braised Pork Shoulder, another flavorful masterpiece made simple.

Food Science Tip: The One-Pot Pasta Magic

Ever wondered how cooking pasta and sauce together creates restaurant-worthy flavor and texture? The secret is in the starch released from pasta as it cooks. Cooking pasta directly in broth or sauce releases starches into the liquid, naturally thickening it and creating a creamy emulsion without needing extra flour or roux.

Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices—including paprika, cayenne, garlic, onion powder, and black pepper—that bloom in heat, releasing aromatic oils. When sautéed first, these spices elevate flavors to extraordinary heights, infusing the shrimp and sauce deeply. Science makes pasta even tastier.

Chef’s Tips: Master Your One-Pot Cajun Pasta

Cook Pasta Al Dente: Remove pasta from heat slightly early—it continues cooking in the residual heat, preventing mushy noodles.
Don’t Overcrowd Shrimp: Cook shrimp in batches if necessary. Overcrowding steams them rather than browning, and we love that caramelized Cajun spice crust.
Adjust the Spice: Easily control spice levels by adjusting Cajun seasoning to your personal heat preference.

Creative Variations & Serving Suggestions

Protein Swap: Chicken or smoked sausage can easily replace or complement shrimp for a hearty twist.
Veggie Boost: Toss in baby spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra veggie power.
Serve with Crunch: Pair with a fresh baguette or Crispy Garlic Parmesan Polenta Fries for the perfect texture contrast.

One-Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Creamy, spicy, and loaded with flavor, this One-Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta combines seasoned shrimp, tender pasta, and rich cream sauce—all cooked conveniently in a single pan for an easy, bold dinner everyone will crave.

Ingredients & Prep

For the Pasta:

12 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
3 cups chicken broth
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Season & Cook Shrimp:
Pat shrimp dry, generously season with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp 2-3 minutes per side until pink and slightly caramelized. Remove shrimp from skillet, set aside.
Build Flavor Base:
In the same skillet, melt butter. Add onion and bell pepper, sauté 3-4 minutes until tender. Add garlic and remaining Cajun seasoning, sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
Cook Pasta & Sauce:
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add pasta, pressing it gently to submerge completely. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, about 10-12 minutes until pasta is al dente and sauce thickens.
Add Shrimp & Finish:
Return cooked shrimp to skillet. Stir in parmesan cheese until fully melted and sauce is creamy. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning as desired.
Serve Immediately:
Garnish generously with fresh parsley. Serve directly from skillet. Enjoy your spicy, creamy pasta masterpiece!

Dietary and Allergy Information

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute gluten-free pasta.
Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free cream alternatives and omit or replace parmesan.

Storage & Reheating Tips:

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to restore sauciness.

Q&A

Q: Can I make this pasta milder?
A: Absolutely. Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice tolerance—though a little burn builds character.

Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A: Yes! Just thaw and pat dry before seasoning and cooking.

Q: What pasta shape works best?
A: Long pasta like linguine or fettuccine holds the creamy sauce beautifully, but penne or rigatoni work wonderfully too.

Our Kitchen Must-Haves

Large Skillet with Lid

A deep, wide skillet ensures even cooking of pasta and shrimp. The tight-fitting lid helps pasta cook thoroughly without evaporation—your key to perfect one-pot dinners.

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Tongs

Perfect for turning shrimp and stirring pasta effortlessly, keeping your pasta perfectly al dente. Tongs will quickly become your kitchen MVP.

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Chef’s Knife

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Disclosure: These are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our kitchen sassy and our recipes even sassier.

Final Thoughts

Congrats! You’ve conquered the art of bold, easy dinners with this One-Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta. Thanks for cooking boldly and cleaning minimally—life’s too short for dish duty. Loved this creamy Cajun dream? Share your creation with #SizzleAndSass. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more effortless, flavor-packed recipes, and explore more bold dishes in our Bold Main Dishes category.

Stay hungry, stay spicy, and keep that skillet sizzling.

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