Smart Recipe Kitchen

2026-03-12

Serves: 4 | Total time: ~30 minutes | Why it works: Quick sear keeps shrimp juicy; pasta starch plus cream and Parmesan make a silky sauce.

Ingredients

• 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled/deveined
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or mix)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt, pepper, chopped parsley

Method

1) Cook pasta in salted water to al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water.

2) Pat shrimp dry; toss with Cajun seasoning.

3) In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Sear shrimp 1–2 minutes per side; remove.

4) In same pan, sauté bell pepper 2–3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.

5) Pour in broth, scraping browned bits. Stir in cream and paprika; simmer 2 minutes.

6) Add pasta, Parmesan, and a splash of pasta water; toss until creamy. Return shrimp; warm 1 minute.

7) Finish with lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.