If you love the taste of the sea combined with a rich, flavorful sauce, this Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce Recipe is destined to become one of your all-time favorites. Picture perfectly cooked spaghetti enveloped in a luscious, spicy cream sauce studded with tender shrimp and sweet lump crabmeat. It’s a delicious balance of smoky Cajun spices, fresh vegetables, and cheesy creaminess that will have you savoring every bite and craving seconds. I can’t wait to share all the juicy details to help you bring this restaurant-worthy dish right to your own kitchen table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting this Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce Recipe just right depends on a handful of wonderfully simple yet vibrant ingredients. Each plays a vital role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color — from the crunchy bell peppers to the spicy Cajun seasoning and the creamy parmesan cheese.
- Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet crunch and bright color contrast.
- Yellow bell pepper: Balances with mild sweetness and enhances visual appeal.
- White onion, chopped: Provides a savory base flavor that softens during sautéing.
- Celery rib: Brings a subtle earthy freshness and crunch.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): Essential for sautéing and creating a silky sauce foundation.
- Cajun seasoning (2 tablespoons, divided): Injects the dish with bold, smoky spiciness.
- Fresh garlic (3 cloves, chopped): Adds aromatic depth that complements seafood beautifully.
- Flour (3 tablespoons): Thickens the sauce to creamy perfection.
- Spaghetti pasta (1 pound, cooked): The perfect vehicle for soaking up the luscious sauce.
- Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors.
- Reserved pasta water (1 cup): Helps loosen and marry the sauce with the pasta.
- Heavy cream (1 cup): Creates that indulgent, velvety Cajun sauce.
- Fresh grated parmesan (2 cups): Adds nutty, savory notes and richness.
- Black pepper (2 teaspoons): Offers a subtle heat that layers well with Cajun spices.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Amplifies garlic flavor and rounds out the seasoning.
- Jumbo shrimp (1 pound, peeled & deveined): Provides tender seafood sweet with every bite.
- Lump crabmeat (1/2 pound): Delivers luscious, delicate crab flavor and texture.
How to Make Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a roaring boil, then add your spaghetti pasta. Cooking the pasta al dente is key—it needs to be tender but still carry a bit of bite so it can hold up under the creamy sauce. Once cooked, drain the pasta carefully, but don’t forget to reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water to use later. This magical liquid will help marry your sauce and noodles perfectly.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and toss in the chopped red and yellow bell peppers, onion, and celery. Sauté these veggies until they become tender and fragrant, filling your kitchen with that inviting aroma. These vegetables provide a freshness and crunch that balance the richness of the sauce beautifully.
Step 3: Add Cajun Seasoning and Garlic
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning over the softened veggies, then add the chopped garlic. Cook everything together until you can smell the garlic’s warm fragrance and the spices bloom, building that signature bold flavor that Cajun food is famous for.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Cajun Sauce
Next comes the magic of thickening the sauce. Sprinkle the flour over your vegetable mixture while stirring consistently to avoid any lumps. This step softens the garlic and starts to build a roux—the base for your creamy sauce.
Step 5: Add Liquids and Cheese
Slowly pour in the reserved pasta water and heavy cream bit by bit, stirring continuously to create a smooth, velvety texture that clings deliciously to every strand of pasta. Once combined, stir in the fresh grated parmesan cheese, black pepper, and garlic powder. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens to a creamy dream.
Step 6: Cook the Seafood
While your sauce is coming together, take a separate skillet and melt a pat of butter for the shrimp. Add the shrimp along with the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook the shrimp until they turn a bright pink and curl up nicely, signaling they’re perfectly done and full of flavor.
Step 7: Combine Seafood with Sauce
Fold the cooked shrimp into the creamy Cajun sauce, then delicately stir in the lump crabmeat, being careful to keep those delicate lumps intact. This step brings the lavish seafood flavors into the sauce, making each bite more exciting and luxurious.
Step 8: Toss Pasta with Sauce
Finally, add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss everything together thoroughly so every noodle is coated with that irresistible creamy Cajun sauce and studded with tender seafood and veggies. Your Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce Recipe is now ready to serve and enjoy!
How to Serve Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the presentation and taste, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or chives on top for a pop of freshness and color. A few extra shavings of parmesan or a squeeze of freshly squeezed lemon juice can brighten and balance the richness of the creamy Cajun sauce beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair this indulgent shrimp and crab pasta with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or some garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce. Roasted asparagus or steamed broccoli are also excellent choices to bring a fresh, healthy contrast to the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning dinner party presentation, serve the pasta in individual shallow bowls, topping each with a whole shrimp or a few crab lump morsels for a touch of elegance. You can also drizzle a bit of extra cream or a sprinkle of paprika around the plate edges to create a colorful, inviting look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers from your Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because the seafood is delicate, it’s best enjoyed fresh but chilling the pasta will still keep it tasty for your next meal.
Freezing
Freezing this dish is possible, though the texture of the seafood and cream sauce may change slightly upon thawing. If you must freeze, place the cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container and use within one month to prevent any loss of flavor or texture. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as it warms. This will prevent the cream from separating and keep your Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce Recipe as luscious as the first time you served it.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While spaghetti works wonderfully, feel free to try fettuccine, linguine, or even penne—any pasta that holds sauce well will complement the creamy Cajun sauce.
Is this recipe very spicy?
The Cajun seasoning delivers a gentle kick but nothing overwhelming. If you prefer more heat, you can always add extra seasoning or a dash of cayenne pepper to suit your taste.
Can I substitute the heavy cream with a lighter alternative?
Heavy cream is key to achieving that rich sauce, but you could substitute half-and-half or whole milk plus a little flour or cornstarch to thicken. Keep in mind the sauce will be less indulgent and creamy.
Is it okay to use frozen shrimp and crabmeat?
Yes, just make sure to thaw them fully and pat dry to avoid excess moisture in the sauce. Fresh seafood tends to give the best flavor and texture, but frozen works fine in a pinch.
How do I make this recipe dairy-free?
For a dairy-free version, swap butter for olive oil and use coconut cream or a dairy-free cream substitute along with a vegan parmesan alternative. The flavor will differ but remain delicious and creamy.
Final Thoughts
This Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce Recipe is such a wonderful way to bring bold, vibrant flavors and comforting creaminess to your dining table. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, I promise this dish will impress and satisfy with every forkful. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite seafood pasta!
Print
Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Description
This Shrimp & Crab Pasta with Creamy Cajun Sauce is a flavorful seafood pasta dish featuring tender jumbo shrimp and lump crabmeat in a rich, spicy Cajun cream sauce. Perfectly sautéed vegetables and freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhance the depth of flavors, making it a comforting yet elegant meal ready in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 1 rib celery
- 3 cloves of fresh garlic, chopped
Seafood
- 1 pound of jumbo shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 1/2 pound of lump crabmeat
Pantry & Dairy
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, divided
- 3 tablespoons of flour
- 1 pound of spaghetti pasta, cooked
- Salt, to taste
- 1 cup of reserved pasta water
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 2 cups of fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water for the sauce.
- Saute the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the red and yellow bell peppers, chopped onion, and celery. Sauté the vegetables until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Cajun Seasoning and Garlic: Stir in 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and the chopped fresh garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Create the Creamy Cajun Sauce: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the vegetables in the skillet and cook while stirring for about 2 minutes to form a roux and soften the garlic.
- Add Liquids for the Sauce: Gradually pour in the reserved pasta water and heavy cream while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and garlic powder. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until creamy and smooth.
- Cook the Seafood: In a separate skillet, melt a small amount of butter over medium heat. Add the jumbo shrimp and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook the shrimp until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine Seafood with Sauce: Add the cooked shrimp to the creamy Cajun sauce in the vegetable skillet. Gently fold in the lump crabmeat, being careful to keep the crab intact.
- Serve and Enjoy: Toss the cooked spaghetti pasta with the seafood and creamy Cajun sauce until well combined. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives before serving.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water when draining pasta as it helps adjust the sauce consistency.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your preferred spice level.
- Gently fold in crabmeat at the end to avoid breaking it into small pieces.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
