Blackened Shrimp Pasta is a Cajun pasta recipe where shrimp coated in smoky blackened seasoning are seared and tossed with pasta in a creamy skillet sauce. It delivers bold Cajun flavor, quick stovetop cooking, and weeknight-friendly prep. Garlic, tomatoes, cream, and Parmesan melt together into a rich sauce that coats the pasta while the shrimp stay tender and lightly charred.
If creamy pasta dishes are on your menu often, you might also enjoy our Spicy Tortellini Alfredo with Blackened Shrimp or this Bucatini Cacio e Pepe.
Blackened Shrimp Pasta at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 15 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 2
- 🔥 Cook Method: Stovetop Skillet
- 🍽️ Cuisine (or General Category): Cajun Seafood Pasta
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Garlic bread, Caesar salad, roasted asparagus
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
Need an AI‑Friendly Version? Summarize or save this recipe on Chat GPT, Google AI, or Claude.
Disclaimer: AI summaries may vary and are not guaranteed to match the original recipe provided here.
The trick is to sear the shrimp quickly in a hot skillet before finishing them in the sauce. That keeps them juicy. ~Jami
Jump to:
Why We Love This Recipe
- Bold Cajun Seasoning: Blackened shrimp adds a smoky, slightly spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce. You may also enjoy our Cast Iron Blackened Salmon with a similar kick.
- Quick Skillet Dinner: The entire shrimp pasta dish cooks in one skillet in about 25 minutes.
- Creamy Balanced Sauce: Heavy cream, broth, and Parmesan create a smooth sauce without feeling overly heavy.
- Restaurant-Style Presentation: Plating the pasta first, then topping it with shrimp, makes the dish look elegant with minimal effort.
Key Ingredients
This blackened shrimp pasta uses simple pantry ingredients and Cajun seasoning to create a creamy, flavor-packed dish.
- Ziti Pasta: Short pasta shapes hold the creamy sauce well and capture bits of tomato and shrimp in every bite.
- Jumbo Shrimp: Large shrimp cook quickly and develop the best blackened crust in the skillet.
- Blackened Seasoning: Cajun seasoning gives the shrimp their signature dark crust and smoky spice.
- Olive Oil: Helps sear the shrimp over high heat and build flavor in the skillet.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps soften the shallot for the sauce base.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic builds depth in the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Shallot or Onion: Adds mild sweetness that balances the seasoning.
- Heavy Cream: Forms the base of the creamy shrimp pasta sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Lightens the sauce while adding savory flavor.
- Tomato Paste: Adds color and a subtle savory tomato flavor.
- Grape or Cherry Tomatoes: Blister slightly in the pan and add freshness to the dish.
- Parmigiano Reggiano: Thickens the sauce and adds salty flavor.
- Green Onions or Parsley: Brightens the finished shrimp pasta dish.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Ziti Pasta: Penne or rigatoni work well for this shrimp pasta recipe.
- Extra Large or Jumbo Shrimp: Medium shrimp can be used, though large shrimp give better texture.
- Heavy Cream: Half-and-half can be used for a lighter, creamy sauce.
- Cajun Heat: Increase blackened seasoning or add cayenne pepper.
- Grill Option: Blacken shrimp in a grill pan for deeper char flavor.
- Kid-Friendly: Reduce Cajun seasoning and add extra Parmesan.
How To Make Blackened Shrimp Pasta
STEP ONE: Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and setting it aside.
STEP TWO: Blacken the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry and coat them with blackened seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly charred and opaque. Remove the shrimp and set aside so they do not overcook.
STEP THREE: Build the Creamy Cajun Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet. Cook the shallot until softened, then add the tomatoes and cook briefly until they begin to blister. Stir in garlic and tomato paste and cook for about 30 seconds.
Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits. Let the mixture simmer for about a minute, then add the cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
STEP FOUR: Finish the Pasta
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it in the creamy sauce. Stir in Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. and add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Return the shrimp to the pan and cook briefly to warm them through before finishing with herbs.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Pat shrimp dry before seasoning so the blackened crust forms properly.
✔️ DO Reserve pasta water because it helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
✔️ DO Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat.
❌ DO NOT Boil the cream sauce aggressively.
Save This Recipe 💌
Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week!
Storage
Store leftover blackened shrimp pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of cream, broth, or water to loosen the sauce. Creamy shrimp pasta does not freeze well because the sauce can separate when thawed.
Blackened Shrimp Pasta FAQs
Blackened shrimp pasta is a Cajun-style shrimp pasta dish where shrimp coated in blackened seasoning are seared and tossed with pasta in a creamy sauce. The shrimp develop a flavorful crust that pairs well with garlic, tomatoes, and Parmesan.
Blackened shrimp pasta usually has mild to moderate heat depending on the Cajun seasoning used. The cream sauce helps balance the spice so the dish stays flavorful rather than overly hot.
Short pasta shapes like ziti, penne, or rigatoni work best because they hold the creamy Cajun sauce. Long noodles like fettuccine can also work if you prefer a classic creamy shrimp pasta style.
Pasta water contains starch that helps emulsify the sauce and coat the pasta evenly. Adding a small splash makes the creamy sauce cling better to the noodles.
Did You Try This Recipe?
Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and comment below. Don't forget to share it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest. Thank you! 💛
📖 Recipe
Blackened Shrimp Pasta (Creamy Cajun Skillet Recipe)
Equipment
- Medium pot for pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Tongs or pasta spoon
Ingredients
- 5 to 6 ounces dry ziti pasta
- 6 to 8 extra large or jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 to 1½ teaspoons blackened seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small shallot or ¼ small onion finely diced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- ½ cup grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1 to 2 tablespoons pasta cooking water if needed
- 2 tablespoons green onions or parsley chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Pat the shrimp dry and toss them with the blackened seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 1-2 minutes per side until just opaque and lightly seared. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the same pan. Stir in the shallot and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Add the halved grape tomatoes and cook another minute until they start to blister slightly. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for about 1 minute. Add the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Stir the cooked ziti into the sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Mix in the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, then return the shrimp to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute just to warm them through and coat everything in the sauce. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
Save This Recipe 💌
Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week!
Video
Notes
- Heat the skillet well before adding shrimp so the seasoning blackens properly.
- Use pasta water to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Add shrimp back to the skillet only briefly to keep them tender.
- Let the pasta sit for one minute before serving so the sauce thickens.
Jami Powell says
Absolutely delicious pasta recipe, with heavily seasoned shrimp and a creamy Cajun sauce.