This Cajun Shrimp and Chorizo Pasta is full of sweet and spicy seasonings, tender veggies, spicy chorizo, and penne all smothered in a rich and creamy sauce.
Ingredients
This shrimp and chorizo pasta is filled with so many yummy spices, is SO creamy, and the combination of spicy chorizo with perfectly cooked shrimp is SO GOOD!
- Chorizo – the spicy, smoky flavor of chorizo goes so well with the rich creaminess of the sauce.
- Unsalted Butter – used to cook the veggies.
- Green Bell Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, White Mushrooms, and Yellow Onion – a colorful veggie blend that adds so much flavor and texture.
- Garlic – provides a subtle nuttiness.
- Salt, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Dried Oregano, Dried Thyme, Red Pepper Flakes – makes up an earthy, sweet, and perfectly spicy Cajun seasoning blend.
- Shrimp – use raw, peeled and deveined with tails taken off. You can also use frozen shrimp but make sure it’s completely thawed before using it in this recipe.
- Half-and-Half – a rich base for the creamy sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese – melted into the sauce for an even creamier texture.
- Penne Pasta – cooked according to package directions.
- Cilantro – optional for garnish! Cilantro adds a bright, fresh flavor to finish it off.
How to make
With just 15 minutes of prep, this spicy and creamy pasta dinner is perfect for any night of the week!
- Place all seasonings into a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Cook chorizo in a saute pan over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Once it’s cooked through, remove from the pan and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium and melt butter and olive oil. Stir in peppers, mushrooms, onion, and 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning. Cook until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds then add in shrimp and cook until firm and pink.
- Add in half-and-half, parmesan, and cooked chorizo then bring to a simmer. Season with another tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and salt to taste.
- Toss with cooked pasta then serve and enjoy!
What shrimp to use
I use large, fresh shrimp already peeled and deveined with the tails taken off.
You can also prep your own shrimp if preferred or use frozen shrimp. If you’re using frozen, make sure you thaw it fully first.
What pasta to use
I love using penne because the tube-like shape fills up with the creamy sauce and it’s so good!
You can, however, use any pasta shape you’d like. I recommend smaller ones like rotini, gemelli, rigatoni, etc. so the veggies, shrimp, and pasta are all relatively uniform in size.
Is shrimp and chorizo pasta spicy?
Slightly, yes. Both the chorizo and the cayenne and red pepper flakes do add a fair amount of heat to this pasta.
If you have a low heat tolerance, you can reduce the amount of cayenne and red pepper flakes or omit it entirely from the Cajun seasoning. You can also buy the most mild variety of chorizo.
What to serve with shrimp and chorizo pasta
This shrimp and chorizo pasta is so good on its own or served with a side dish or two!
How to store
Store leftover shrimp and chorizo pasta in an airtight container for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 1-2 months.
To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen then microwave or warm on the stove with a splash of half-and-half to thin.
– Jennifer
Cajun Shrimp and Chorizo Pasta
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 ½ teaspoons Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Cajun Shrimp and Chorizo Pasta
- ½ pound chorizo
- ¼ cup unsalted butter + splash of olive oil to keep it from burning
- 2 green bell pepper diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 (8 oz) package white mushrooms sliced, about 2 cups
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced or press
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning divided
- 10 oz large shrimp peeled and deveined with tails taken off
- 3 cups half and half
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 pound penne pasta
- Cilantro optional as a garnish
Instructions
Cajun Seasoning
- Place ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Store in an airtight container.
Cajun Shrimp and Chorizo Pasta
- In a large skillet, cook chorizo over medium high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Remove from the skillet once cooked through, this should only take a couple of minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium and melt butter together with the olive oil.
- Stir in peppers, mushrooms, onion, and 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning.
- Cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in shrimp and cook until firm and pink, about 3 - 5 minutes.
- Add in half-and-half, parmesan cheese, and chorizo.
- Bring to a simmer, to thicken. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Season with another 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning and salt, to taste.
- Toss with pasta (cooked according to directions on package).
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Notes
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Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
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