Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Cajun shrimp with orecchiette is a pasta dish that combines the bold, spicy flavors of Cajun cuisine with the unique texture of orecchiette pasta. Orecchiette are small, dish-shaped pasta that is shaped like little ears. The dish typically features shrimp cooked with Cajun seasoning, often in a creamy sauce or tossed with vegetables, and then combined with the orecchiette pasta. 

I’m calling this recipe ‘Cajun’, but I am using Old Bay seasoning due to personal preference. Old Bay and Cajun seasoning do have differences, but in many cases, they can be used interchangeably. While Old Bay has a very specific ingredient list that gives it its powerful flavor, Cajun seasoning blends usually have more significant amounts of red pepper than Old Bay, so the mix is generally spicier.

I like spicy but not to the point of flames coming out of my mouth so Old Bay it is!

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Cajun Shrimp Pasta

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Rating: 5
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Course

Main Dish

Cuisine

Spanish

Keyword

cajun shrimp pasta

Servings

MetricUS Imperial

Ingredients

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 cup onion, diced small
• 1 small zucchini, julienned
• 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp garlic, minced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 227 gm orecchiette pasta
• 1 3/4 cups fire roasted tomato sauce
• 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 300 gm WILD, jumbo shrimp w/ peels
• 30 gm cream cheese, or MORE if you prefer

Course Main Dish Cuisine Spanish Keyword cajun shrimp pasta Servings MetricUS Imperial Ingredients 1 tsp olive oil 1 cup onion, diced small 1 small zucchini, julienned 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced 2 Tbsp garlic, minced 2 cups vegetable broth 227 gm orecchiette pasta 1 3/4 cups fire roasted tomato sauce 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning 1/2 tsp salt 300 gm WILD, jumbo shrimp w/ peels 30 gm cream cheese, or MORE if you prefer

Votes: 1 Rating: 5 You: Rate this recipe!

Instructions

1. Peel & devein shrimp, rinse & dry on paper towel. Place shrimp shells in 2 cups of vegetable broth & simmer for 10 minutes. Strain shells from broth. Discard shells. Set broth aside.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add onion, zucchini, celery & garlic. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften & the onions are a little translucent but not too browned.
3. Add broth to deglaze pan, loosening any browned bits. Add pasta, tomato sauce, Old Bay seasoning & salt. Stir to combine & separate the pasta. Cover the pan & increase heat to bring it to a boil. If it seems the liquid is too thick, add a bit of milk or water.
4. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to to maintain a lively simmer but not a hard boil. Continue cooking, covered but stirring occasionally & trying to keep the pasta submerged, until pasta is tender, about 10-13 minutes.
5. Stir in shrimp & continue cooking, covered, until the shrimp are cooked, about 3 minutes. Do not overcook.
6. Add cream cheese, stirring to melt & distribute the cheese.
7. Remove from heat & serve immediately.