GRAMMY’S CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA! Are you looking for a super simple but ohhhh so yummy, dinner idea that can go from your family table to an evening entertaining friends? This is it! This pasta dish is filled with shrimp and cajun spices that are sure to wow everyone’s tastes buds, for sure!
I first had this dish when we traveled to one of our nieces’s weddings and my sister, Cheryl, made this one evening for all of us. It was soooo yummy and I begged her for the recipe, thinking it was going to be pretty involved. WOW, was I surprised by the simplicity of this recipe! And the fun part is that it can be tweaked to fit your tastes and favorite add-ins…..fresh/frozen spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus, and favorite herbs and spices, as well! For us, I like to add fresh chopped spinach and I have added two chicken bouillon cubes to the original recipe, as well. Be adventurous and have fun with it! You can find my version of GRAMMY’S CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA below………
GRAMMY'S CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA
Ingredients
- 1 - 1 1/2 lbs pasta - any kind will work including spaghetti
- 2 bags frozen or fresh shrimp - can use medium-large shrimp or chicken (I use frozen "salad" shrimp for more shrimp per bite)
- 1-2 Tbsp Cajun Seasoning, to taste (I use Slap Ya Mama or Ragin' Cajun')
- 2 cubes chicken bouillon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced - or equiv. in garlic powder
- 1 QT heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup OPTIONAL: fresh/frozen chopped spinach or, chopped asparagus, broccoli florets, etc
Instructions
- In a large pot, boil water and cook pasta according to package until el dente. Drain water
- In a large skillet, put shrimp or chicken in with a drizzle of oil, and sauté until cooked while generously sprinkling with some of the cajun seasoning to flavor your shrimp/chicken directly. (If using salad shrimp like me, just skip this step and put the salad shrimp directly into the heavy cream as directed below.)
- Once shrimp/chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and add in your chicken bouillon cubes, garlic, and cajun seasoning to taste. Bring cream mixture to a simmer, stirring regularly to prevent scorching.
- To cream mixture, add your favorite add-ins (spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, etc). Next add in your shrimp or chicken and simmer until all additions are warmed through. Remove from heat
- Pour the creamy mixture over your cooked pasta and let set for a couple of minutes. NOTE: initially there will be a lot of sauce but remember, your pasta will soak this up and your leftovers will be amazing tomorrow, too!
- Serve with a green salad and warm, crusty bread! ENJOY 🙂
