CAJUN SHRIMP

Cajun seasoning tastes so great with chicken, fish, potatoes, corn, veggies, and SHRIMP! This quick dinner pairs pasta shells, blackened Cajun shrimp, garlic, bell peppers and a creamy, spicy sauce.

While we were growing up, my mom often made noodles with Cajun chicken as an easy weeknight dinner for those weeks when my dad traveled for work. I’ve always loved spicy food, but you can tweak Cajun seasoning blends based on heat preferences. Feel free to up the veggie count by straining pasta over fresh baby spinach leaves, topping bowls with sliced scallions, or adding roughly chopped sundried tomatoes.

Makes 4 servings, though I often halve it to quickly cook a dinner for 2. A serving size of pasta is 2 oz (56 g dry) which makes 1 heaping cup (~200 g) cooked, so we have calculated 4 servings for nutritional estimates and portion control. I recommend using a large cast iron or stainless steel pan + 1 small sauce pot + 1 large sauce pot for cooking pasta. The sauce yields ~1.5 cups (~356 ml), but it’s best to make the full batch even if halving the shrimp and pasta.

• 1 lb raw, peeled, deveined shrimp (~454 g)*
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 large bell pepper**
• 1 cup heavy cream (~237 ml)
• ½ cup dry white or rosé wine (~118 ml)***
• ½ cup water or veggie/chicken broth (~118 ml)
• 2 tbsp cold butter, divided
• 1 level tbsp flour
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ lb pasta (~227 g)****
• 2 tbsp neutral cooking oil (like canola or avocado)
• Sea salt (2 tsp + more to taste)
• Black pepper, to taste

*ideally medium-large Gulf shrimp in size 21-25 count. Use fresh or frozen, but make sure to defrost in the fridge ahead of time. Never run hot or warm water over seafood to defrost it; icy shrimp can sit in cold water to remove the last ice crystals.

**Green peppers are traditional to Cajun and Creole cooking, though I use yellow due to an intolerance. Since green bell peppers are unripe, they are more fibrous and harder for some systems to digest.

***or dry vermouth. I’ve also used a lemon-cayenne kombucha in a pinch and that was good!

****Some good recs: penne, farfalle, or medium shells for marine vibes!

      [Optional] 

• herbs: ¼ cup chopped parsley (~15 g) — or 4 tsp dry 
• 2 tbsp fresh tarragon/2 tsp dry
• garnish with thinly sliced scallions or chopped sundried tomatoes

      [CAJUN SEASONING] 

• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp ground cayenne
• 2 tsp ground white pepper
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp paprika (I usually do 1 tbsp regular and 1 tbsp smoked)
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp ground mustard

Easily yields a filling dinner for two with plenty of leftovers, especially if served alongside toasted garlic bread or warm dinner rolls…especially warm yeast rolls!

It pairs nicely with a still or sparkling rosé (especially full-bodied New World) or white wine, as long as they are light and crisp. Fruitier, bolder red wines go well with spicy food, as long as their notes aren’t based on anise or cloves because those wouldn’t work with the flavors in this dish. There are lots of pleasantly sweet blends of Grenache and Syrah/Shiraz, for example. In general, Grenache (and in Spain, Garnacha) offers a good balance of fruity flavor and low bitterness.

For alcohol-free pairings, consider sweet tea, an Arnold Palmer, or a sparkling water with citrus.

Cocktail lovers may enjoy a sidecar, sazerac, classic martini, or various spritz drinks, like an aperol spritz.

Beer fans may want to reach for an effervescent saison or crisp, amber ale, light pilsner…shoot, even a tart sour cuts through the creamy, spicy flavors nicely (especially when served in a tulip glass so it breathes nicely). I’m not a big sour fan but Dogfish SeaQuench Ale is a vibrantly lime option for summer.

NUTRITION FACTS

Number of Servings: 4
Fiber: 2.55 g
Carbs: 42.36 g

Calories per Serving: 456.6 kcal
Sugar: 5.53 g
Protein: 34.83 g

Weight per Serving: 340 g
Fats: 15.79 g
Iron: 1.48 mg

All servings and nutritional measurements are approximate, exclude optional toppings and assume the portion includes a 2 oz single serving of wheat pasta. These estimates are intended for information and guidance purposes only. Please consult a licensed nutrition or medical professional if you need assistance.