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Cajun shrimp scampi is a quick and easy meal that’s loaded with flavor! You can serve it with crusty Italian bread, pasta, or rice.
I love classic shrimp scampi but this Cajun shrimp scampi is so much more flavorful. It’s spicy, garlicky, and perfectly seasoned.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s super versatile, you can add spinach, bell peppers, onions, etc.
- Omit the pasta and you have a low carb and keto-friendly meal.
- Perfect for date night or a special occasion.
- Cooks in under 30 minutes!
Ingredient Notes
- Shrimp – You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe, just make sure to thaw the frozen shrimp completely. I highly recommend using raw peeled and deveined shrimp.
- Cajun Seasoning – Store-bought or homemade is fine.
- Garlic – Use fresh for best results.
- White Wine – Use good quality wine. I recommend a dry white wine such as pinot grigio or chardonnay. Avoid fruity wines like Moscato. If you don’t consume alcohol, you may use chicken stock instead.
- Lemon – Adds so much flavor!
- Butter – Use unsalted.
- Pasta – I used bucatini but feel free to use spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine.
- Capers – Optional.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning. Stir the shrimp and cook for 30 seconds on each side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set it aside.
- Add the butter, garlic, and red crushed pepper to the skillet and cook for 20 seconds.
- Stir in the white wine, lemon juice, and capers. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- While the sauce cooks, cook the pasta according to packaging instructions and reserve some pasta water.
- Stir in the pasta water and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the butter and cook for 20 seconds.
- Add the cooked pasta and shrimp and mix well. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Top Tips
- Allow the sauce to simmer for at least 10 minutes so it reduces by half and thickens.
- Not a fan of shrimp? Use chicken, lobster, or scallops instead!
- Taste the sauce and add more seasoning if needed.
- Want it spicy? Add extra red crushed pepper, cayenne pepper, and green chilies.
Storage
Place any leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
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Cajun Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb shrimp , raw, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb pasta
- 3/4 cups white wine , or chicken stock
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp capers, optional
- 3 garlic cloves , finely minced
- 1/2 tsp red crushed pepper , optional
- 1/2 cup pasta water
- 3 tsp Cajun seasoning , or to taste, store-bought is fine too!
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- fresh parmesan , to taste
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning. Stir the shrimp and cook for 30 seconds on each side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set it aside.
- Add the butter, garlic, and red crushed pepper to the skillet and cook for 20 seconds.
- Stir in the white wine, lemon juice, and capers. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- While the sauce cooks, cook the pasta according to packaging instructions and reserve some pasta water.
- Stir in the pasta water and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the butter and cook for 20 seconds.
- Add the cooked pasta and shrimp and mix well. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Allow the sauce to simmer for at least 10 minutes so it reduces by half and thickens.
- Not a fan of shrimp? Use chicken, lobster, or scallops instead!
- Taste the sauce and add more seasoning if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.