Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Cajun shrimp pasta has a kick of heat from several kinds of peppers, but heavy cream forms a rich sauce that elevates all the smoky, meaty, and spicy flavors that are the hallmarks of Cajun cooking.

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 245 words · Melissa Bird

Table of Contents

This weeknight dinner dishes up a little kick and a whole lot of comfort.

We love to serve this pasta dinner with French bread for sopping up extra sauce.

Ingredients

8oz.uncooked fettuccine pasta(about 1/2 pkg.)

Southern Living Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta on a plate ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions, until just al dente.

Drain and keep warm.

Heat a large, tall sided skillet over medium heat.

Southern LIving Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add bacon pieces and cook, stirring frequently until crisp, 5-8 minutes.

Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving fat in the pan.

Add shrimp to bacon fat and cook until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 1-2 minutes.

Southern Living Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta cooking the pasta

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Remove shrimp and set aside.

Do not wipe pan clean.

Add butter to pan, swirling to combine with drippings in pan.

Southern Living Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta cooking the bacon

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add shallots, garlic, bell pepper and celery and cook 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.

Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are coated, about 1 minute.

Add wine to pan, stirring to combine.

Southern Living Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta cooking the shrimp

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Stir in heavy cream, cooked pasta, bacon and shrimp.

Serve immediately, topping with sliced scallions and lemon zest.

Recipe Tips for Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Southern Living Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta cooking the onion and bell pepper

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta adding the flour to the vegetables

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta adding the wine and tomatoes

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta adding the rest of the ingredients back to the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Weeknight Cajun Shrimp Pasta on a plate ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox