How I Make Restaurant-Quality Cajun Shrimp Pasta at Home in Minutes

Welcome to Glen And Friends Cooking!
This creamy Cajun-inspired shrimp pasta is the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal! In this video, Glen shares his own custom Cajun spice blend—crafted after researching over 100 recipes and vintage cookbooks from the 1890s. This "Cajun-adjacent" dish features succulent frozen shrimp, a rich cream and tomato sauce, and a few optional green veggies for a well-rounded, "moorish" dinner your family will love.

Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly way to use frozen shrimp or want to learn the history behind Cajun spices, this no-fuss, pot-and-a-half meal comes together in minutes.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Cajun spice mix:
2 mL (½ tsp) crushed red pepper
5 mL (1 tsp) coarse salt
5 mL (1 tsp) paprika
2 mL (½ tsp) ground cumin
2 mL (½ tsp) garlic powder
2 mL (½ tsp) onion powder
2 mL (½ tsp) dried basil
2 mL (½ tsp) dried parsley
2 mL (½ tsp) dried oregano
2 mL (½ tsp) dried thyme
2 mL (½ tsp) cayenne pepper
2 mL (½ tsp) black pepper

Pasta
250g (8 ounces) uncooked penne pasta
60 mL (¼ cup) butter
500 mL (1 pound) uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
10 - 20 mL (2-4 tsp) Cajun seasoning
2 garlic cloves, minced
375 mL (1½ cups) 35% whipping cream
1 medium tomato, chopped
125 ml (½ cup) grated Pecorino Parmesan cheese
250 mL (1 cup) frozen peas

Method:
Toss shrimp with 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
Cook pasta according to package directions
In a large pan, melt 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat
Add shrimp and sauté until shrimp turn pink.
Remove shrimp and keep warm.
In same pan, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter over medium heat
Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant
stir in cream and tomato, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered until slightly thickened.
Drain pasta and stir into the cream.
Stir in grated cheese, and 1 - 2 tsp seasoning (if desired)
Stir in shrimp, and cook just until shrimp are heated through.

00:00 - Intro: A quick and easy frozen shrimp meal
00:24 - How to make a custom Cajun spice mix
00:41 - The history of Cajun cooking & vintage recipes
02:14 - Cajun spice ingredients & preparation
03:31 - Seasoning the shrimp for maximum flavour
04:02 - Sautéing shrimp in butter
05:15 - Building the creamy tomato & garlic sauce
06:39 - Cooking the pasta & sauce thickening tips
07:44 - Adding green vegetables (peas, spinach, or broccoli)
08:13 - Finishing the sauce with Pecorino or Parmesan cheese
10:04 - Combining shrimp and pasta for the final dish
10:45 - Taste test & how to adjust the spice level
12:30 - Recipe recap: A "moorish" weeknight dinner
13:32 - Variations: Using salmon, scallops, or other seafood

Join us in the kitchen as we explore the world of food through approachable recipes, culinary history, and great flavours. Whether you're looking for a modern weeknight dinner or a deep dive into the "Old Cookbook Show," we bring a unique perspective to every dish.
What you’ll find on this channel:
The Old Cookbook Show: We step back in time to test historical recipes—from 1920s Arkansas Stew to vintage gingerbread—discovering forgotten secrets and seeing how they hold up today.
Modern Comfort Food & Baking: Master everything from Cajun-inspired shrimp pasta and savory pork chops to decadent desserts like rye chocolate chunk cookies and homemade biscuits.
Practical Cooking Tips: We break down techniques and ingredients to help you become a more confident and creative home cook.
A Community of Food Lovers: At Glen And Friends, cooking is more than just a recipe; it’s about the stories, the history, and the joy of sharing a meal with friends.

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