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Cajun Shrimp and Crab Pasta

Cajun Shrimp and Crab Pasta
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A quick and flavorful Cajun Shrimp and Crab Pasta combining succulent shrimp, tender crab meat, and creamy fettuccine tossed in a spicy, rich Cajun cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish offers bold, spicy flavors balanced by smooth textures, bringing restaurant-quality seafood pasta right to your dinner table in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood

  • 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
  • 8 ounces fresh or canned lump crab meat

Pasta

  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta

Seasonings and Aromatics

  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, herbs)
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Dairy and Fats

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the fettuccine or linguine to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped garlic and onion, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Cook the Shrimp: Add shrimp to the skillet, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and firm. Remove shrimp and set aside to prevent overcooking.
  4. Make the Cajun Cream Sauce: Pour heavy cream into the skillet. Stir in additional Cajun seasoning, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.
  5. Combine Crab and Pasta: Gently fold in the crab meat to preserve its texture. Toss in the cooked pasta, stirring well to coat the noodles with the creamy, spicy sauce.
  6. Finish with Shrimp and Garnish: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and mix gently. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use fresh seafood for best flavor and texture.
  • Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; cook just until pink.
  • Layer Cajun seasoning on shrimp and in the sauce to build deep flavors.
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  • If the spice is too strong, balance with extra lemon juice or cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, crab pasta, seafood pasta, creamy Cajun sauce, quick seafood dinner, spicy pasta recipe, gluten-free seafood pasta

Find it online: https://withnora.com/cajun-shrimp-and-crab-pasta/