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Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp with Cheesy Spaghetti
lina mhb

Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp with Cheesy Spaghetti

Golden Cajun garlic butter shrimp are paired with creamy, cheesy spaghetti and finished with lemon, parsley, and a flavorful garlic butter drizzle for a rich seafood dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 persons
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Cajun
Calories: 760
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ lbs jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Equipment

  • large pot For cooking the spaghetti.
  • large skillet For searing the shrimp and preparing the cheese and garlic butter sauces.
  • Colander For draining the spaghetti.
  • wooden spoon or spatula For stirring the cheese sauce and tossing the pasta.
  • measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Cook the spaghetti in well salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining. Toss the hot noodles with a little of the butter to keep them loose.
  2. Pat the shrimp dry and season with most of the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Heat the olive oil with 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sear the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium low heat. Add half of the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream, then gradually stir in the cheddar and Parmesan until smooth. Add reserved pasta water as needed to make the sauce creamy and easy to toss.
  4. Toss the spaghetti with part of the cheese sauce and arrange it on a large serving plate. Spoon extra sauce over the pasta, then arrange the Cajun shrimp around the spaghetti.
  5. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter with the remaining garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, parsley, and a pinch of the remaining Cajun seasoning. Spoon the garlic butter over the shrimp and around the cheesy spaghetti. Finish with cracked black pepper and serve warm.

Notes

Cook the spaghetti until al dente and reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning so they sear instead of steam. Add the reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the cheese sauce as needed. The source provides approximately 760 calories and 44 g protein per serving; the remaining nutrition values are estimates based on the listed ingredients.