This Blackened Shrimp Pasta is a fantastic choice for a flavorful and satisfying meal that's easy enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for a special occasion.
The bold blackened seasoning adds a smoky, spicy kick to the succulent shrimp, while the creamy tomato sauce brings everything together in a rich and comforting way. Topped with fresh parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley, this dish feels like something you'd get at a fancy restaurant, but it's quick and simple to make at home.
The shrimp, perfectly seasoned and tender, are the star of the dish. When paired with the tomato cream sauce and al dente linguine, the combination is absolutely mouthwatering. Whether you're serving this up for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests, this Blackened Shrimp Pasta is sure to impress!
If you are looking for more seafood recipes, check out our: Ahi Tuna Tacos with Cabbage Slaw, Blackened Swordfish, Blackened Shrimp Bowls and Tuna Carbonara.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Flavorful: This cajun shrimp pasta is packed with flavor, thanks to the smoky blackened shrimp. The creamy tomato sauce balances the heat with a rich, comforting touch, making each bite super tasty.
- Simple: With just a few ingredients and a quick cooking process, this recipe is a breeze to make. Cook the pasta, blacken the shrimp, and toss it all together in a creamy sauce for a fuss-free and delicious meal.
- Comforting: The creamy tomato sauce brings a rich flavor to the dish, while the blackened shrimp add a smoky kick. Finished with parmesan, it’s a comforting meal that is satisfying in every bite.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this pasta dish:
- Linguine: I recommend bronze cut pasta for best flavor. High quality pasta truly makes a difference in the final flavor and texture of a dish! You can also use any pasta shape that you have on hand in this recipe.
- Olive oil: Use good quality olive oil.
- Shrimp: Use large, peeled, and deveined shrimp for the best texture and ease. Use fresh shrimp if possible. If you're thawing shrimp, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic will provide the best flavor.
- Blackened seasoning: Store bought or homemade blackened seasoning will work great.
- Black pepper: Use freshly cracked black pepper.
- Tomatoes: Use canned crushed tomatoes, or for a chunkier texture, use diced tomatoes. You can also substitute with red peppers.
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan will melt better and provide a more intense flavor.
- Parsley: Use fresh Italian parsley as a garnish.
Directions
Let's make this pasta recipe together!
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine until al dente. Reserve some pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 2
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, garlic, blackened seasoning, and black pepper. Cook the seasoned shrimp until blackened and cooked through, then remove them from the pan and set aside.
Step 3
In the same skillet, add crushed tomatoes and butter over low heat. Stir in heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Cook until the sauce is well combined and simmering.
Step 4
Add the cooked shrimp and drained cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and shrimp in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Top the pasta with more parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this flavorful dish:
Don’t overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly, so be sure to remove them from the skillet once they’re blackened and opaque. Overcooking can make them tough, so keep an eye on them!
Adjust the seasoning: If you like it spicier, you can increase the amount of blackened seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. On the flip side, you can tone it down by using a milder seasoning.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this easy weeknight meal. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large pot: A quality large pot is important for any home cook! It's a go-to for making soups, pastas, and dishes for a crowd.
- Large skillet: You'll want a high quality large skillet with high sides.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this delicious dinner.
- Shrimp: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs if you prefer chicken over shrimp. For a more delicate, seafood option, scallops can be used in place of shrimp. You could also use andouille sausage for a little kick!
- Linguine: Swap the linguine for another type of pasta you have on hand, like spaghetti, fettuccine or penne pasta. For a lighter, low-carb option, try spiralized zucchini in place of pasta.
- Heavy cream: If you want a lighter sauce, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. Skip the cream for a lighter, tomato-based sauce by adding more crushed tomatoes and a splash of chicken broth or white wine.
- Parmesan cheese: Use pecorino romano in place of parmesan for a sharper, tangier taste.
- Additions: Toss in some fresh spinach or kale to the sauce for added color and nutrition. Sauté bell peppers or mushrooms with the garlic for extra texture and flavor.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this recipe:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp for this recipe! Just be sure to fully thaw them before cooking. To thaw, place the shrimp in the refrigerator for a few hours or run them under cold water until they're defrosted. Once thawed, pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture before cooking. This will help the shrimp sear nicely and get that blackened texture.
You can make parts of this shrimp pasta ahead of time to save time later. Prepare the creamy tomato sauce and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Cook the shrimp and refrigerate them, reheating in the skillet before serving. If making the pasta ahead, undercook it slightly, toss with olive oil to prevent sticking, and store in the fridge. When ready to serve, just combine the shrimp, pasta, and sauce for a quick, delicious meal!
If you don’t have blackened seasoning, you can easily make your own by mixing equal parts paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, and black pepper. Adjust the cayenne to your preferred spice level for a homemade blend that gives shrimp a smoky, spicy flavor similar to store-bought blackened seasoning.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this shrimp pasta recipe:
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
- Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm.
Other Recipes to Try
Easy Homemade Blackened Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb linguine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons blacked seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Chopped Italian parsley for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
- While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, garlic, blackened seasoning, and black pepper to the pan. Cook shrimp for 3-4 minutes per side, until blackened. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Add crushed tomatoes to the pan over low heat. Add heavy cream and parmesan cheese and stir well, until combined. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until gently simmering. Add shrimp and pasta to the pan and toss. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed.
- Top with additional parmesan cheese and Italian parsley and serve.
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