Cajun Shrimp Pasta Easy Recipe With No Cream Wellplated Com

This easy Cajun shrimp pasta recipe is inspired by a well-loved restaurant of my childhood, Chili’s. Their Cajun shrimp pasta was always one of my go-to orders. Spicy blackened shrimp cooked in a thick alfredo sauce, it was indulgent, heavy on the penne pasta, light on the veggies, and exactly that sort of thing that high school Erin craved. Nowadays, I still love myself a rich, creamy plate of pasta now and then, but my expectations are higher.

Typically, Cajun cream sauce is made of rich ingredients like butter and heavy cream.For this recipe, I opted to use nonfat milk, cornstarch, and light cream cheese to create a healthier but equally-delicious sauce.

With easy prep, crowd-pleasing flavor, and veggies in every bite, this version of Cajun shrimp pasta is one you can feel good about making on repeat.

How to Make Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

My goal for this recipe was to make Cajun shrimp pasta tasty and better for you, without losing its indulgent appeal. The luscious, creamy sauce adds decadence, and ingredients like whole wheat pasta, bell peppers, mushrooms, and shrimp bring a scrumptious, healthy balance.

The Ingredients

Shrimp. Quick-cooking, easy to eat, and tasty in a variety of dishes (everything from this pasta to spicy Bang Bang Shrimp to Healthy Shrimp Pad Thai), shrimp are also an excellent source of protein. Whole Wheat Pasta. Trading out white pasta noodles for their whole-grain counterpart instantly boosts your intake of fiber, protein, and other nutrients.

Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese. This is a creamy Cajun shrimp pasta no cream! Just four ounces of light cream cheese are all you need for a sauce that tastes thick and creamy like alfredo, for a fraction of the calories.Nonfat Milk. Making this a Cajun shrimp pasta with nonfat milk instead of a Cajun shrimp pasta with evaporated milk helps lighten things up.Bell Peppers. Crisp and colorful, bell peppers are a staple ingredient in Cajun cooking and make this pasta an all-in-one healthy dinner. This recipe leans more heavily on the veggies, so you’ll score bell peppers with every twirl of your fork.Mushrooms. OK FINE. You caught me. The original Chili’s version of this pasta does not contain mushrooms (and they are not traditional in the slightest) but they taste super delish in the Cajun shrimp pasta.

Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes. A one-ingredient trick to make this Cajun shrimp pasta taste like Chili’s. I keep several of these cans in my pantry at all times to add instant flavor (and extra veggies!) to my meals.Cajun Seasoning. Cajun seasoning is a blend of flavorful Cajun spices and herbs such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, thyme, and oregano. It gives this pasta its signature flavor.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.To Freeze. Freeze pasta in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Dutch Oven. Perfect for making Cajun shrimp pasta. Whisk. This small whisk is easy to handle. Mixing Bowls. A set of mixing bowls is essential in every kitchen.