Valentine's Day Bonus Blog: Spicy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Valentine's Day Bonus Blog: Spicy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Spicy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
• 1-pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Season the Shrimp:
• In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
3. Sauté the Shrimp:
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
4. Sauté the Vegetables:
• In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add minced garlic and sliced bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the peppers are tender.
5. Make the Sauce:
• Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes until they begin to soften.
• Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
• Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
6. Combine the Pasta and Shrimp:
• Add the cooked pasta and sautéed shrimp to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and shrimp are evenly coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add some of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
7. Serve:
• Garnish the spicy Cajun shrimp pasta with chopped fresh parsley.
• Serve hot, accompanied by crusty bread or garlic bread if desired.

This Spicy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a tantalizing dish that combines bold flavours and creamy sauce, making it perfect for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner.