Creamy Cajun Shrimp Volcano Pasta
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Volcano Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish made with tender shrimp, perfectly cooked penne pasta, and a silky Cajun-spiced cream sauce. Finished with parmesan and topped with juicy shrimp arranged in a dramatic “volcano” presentation, this restaurant-style pasta is bold, comforting, and ready in about 30 minutes.
Equipment
- large pot for boiling pasta
- large skillet for cooking shrimp and sauce
- colander for draining pasta
- knife for chopping vegetables
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 250 g penne pasta
- 300 g shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, divided
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup cooking cream
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 9–11 minutes. Drain and reserve a small cup of pasta water for later if needed.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the shrimp with half of the Cajun seasoning and cook them in a single layer for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add the diced red bell pepper and cook for another 2–3 minutes until slightly tender but still vibrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste, remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
- Slowly pour in the cooking cream and milk while stirring. Let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy and rich.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Plate the pasta in a mound and arrange the shrimp on top to create the volcano presentation. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Notes
Use large shrimp for the best presentation and texture. Avoid overcooking shrimp as they become rubbery quickly. If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash of reserved pasta water. Freshly grated parmesan melts better than pre-grated cheese and gives the sauce a smoother texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 32gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 180mgSodium: 620mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 950IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 3mg
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