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A close up view of a bowl of blackened shrimp cavatappi with creamy sauce and parsley garnish.

Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi

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A creamy, spicy, and incredibly satisfying Cajun-inspired pasta dish featuring blackened shrimp and a rich parmesan cream sauce.

  • Total Time: PT30M
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
12 oz Cavatappi pasta
2 tbsp Smoked paprika
1 tbsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp Dried oregano
1 tsp Dried thyme
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black pepper
2 tbsp Olive oil
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1.5 cups Heavy cream
1 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cavatappi pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, salt, and pepper to create the blackened seasoning.
Step 3: Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Toss the shrimp in a medium bowl with the spice mixture until they are evenly and generously coated.
Step 4: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) and sear for 2 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Step 5: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 6: Let the cream simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Step 7: Add the cooked pasta and the blackened shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated in the sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Always pat your shrimp very dry before adding spices to ensure a proper 'blackened' sear. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.

  • Prep Time: PT10M
  • Cook Time: PT20M
  • Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
  • Cuisine: American / Cajun

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 545 kcal
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 185mg