Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

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This creamy Cajun shrimp pasta dish packs plenty of veggies to lighten up the creamy sauce. The Cajun spice gives this dish a little kick, and the sour cream adds a nice tang to the cream sauce that coats the shrimp.

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
6
Nutrition Profile:

Ingredients

  • 1 pound raw large raw shrimp (26-30 count), peeled and deveined

  • 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning

  • 12 ounces fettuccine, preferably whole-wheat

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 bunch scallions

  • 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced lengthwise

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth

  • ½ cup half-and-half

  • 1 (5 ounce) package baby spinach

  • cup sour cream

  • ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Combine shrimp and Cajun seasoning in a large bowl; toss well to coat. Set aside.

  2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain. Return the pasta to the pot off the heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and toss to coat.

  3. Meanwhile, thinly slice white and light green parts of scallions diagonally; set aside. Thinly slice dark green parts of scallions; set aside.

  4. Heat the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the sliced white and light green scallions, garlic, butter and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and softened, about 1 minute. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add broth and half-and-half; bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Add the seasoned shrimp; reduce heat to medium and cook until the shrimp are just cooked through and opaque and the sauce has thickened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes, turning the shrimp over halfway through. Remove from heat.

  5. Heat the pasta in the pot over low heat. Add spinach, sour cream, salt, the shrimp mixture and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water; stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly and adding more cooking water, if necessary, until the sauce becomes thick and creamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide evenly among 6 bowls and garnish with the sliced dark green scallions. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

375 Calories
10g Fat
50g Carbs
20g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 1/3 cups pasta & about 4 shrimp
Calories 375
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 50g 18%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 20g 40%
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 116mg 39%
Vitamin A 2866IU 57%
Sodium 417mg 18%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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