Description
This creamy blackened shrimp cavatappi is a flavorful and indulgent pasta dish that features succulent shrimp coated in smoky blackened seasoning and combined with a creamy, tangy sauce. The dish is rich, comforting, and perfect for any night of the week, especially for beginners looking to create a quick, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Blackened seasoning
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Tomato paste
- Sour cream
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Corn (canned, fresh, or frozen)
- Green onions, chopped
- Cavatappi pasta
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatappi and cook according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water for later, and set aside.
- Season and Cook the Shrimp: Place the shrimp in a bowl and coat evenly with blackened seasoning. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer and cook for about 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the shrimp turns pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add heavy cream. Stir while scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Stir in tomato paste, sour cream, and freshly grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add the cooked pasta, shrimp, and corn into the skillet with the sauce. Stir well to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated in the creamy mixture. If the sauce seems too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Serve and Garnish: Spoon the creamy pasta onto plates and sprinkle with chopped green onions for garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra richness, you can swap the butter with olive oil, but the butter adds a creamy texture that complements the shrimp. If you prefer a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with whole milk or half-and-half. Adjust the seasoning to your liking by adding more or less blackened seasoning, especially if you like a spicier dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Southern-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 195mg