Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Creamy Cajun Rigatoni
Louisiana-Inspired Garlic Shrimp & Creamy Cajun Spiced Rigatoni
Ingredients:
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
12 oz rigatoni pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
3 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a bowl, toss shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add onions, bell peppers, and celery. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
Add the remaining minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes until they begin to burst.
Reduce heat to medium and add the vegetable broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Pour in the heavy cream and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes until it starts to thicken.
Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss until pasta is well coated.
Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and gently fold into the pasta. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat everything through.
Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, green onions, and parsley.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Serve immediately garnished with additional parmesan cheese, parsley, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 620 kcal | Servings: 4 servings