Description
A bold and creamy Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi featuring tender pasta tossed with spicy blackened shrimp and a rich garlic-parmesan cream sauce. A flavorful fusion of Cajun and Italian cuisine.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 8 oz cavatappi pasta
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon blackened seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook cavatappi pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Toss shrimp with blackened seasoning until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes per side, until blackened and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Return shrimp to the skillet and stir gently to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Substitute half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- Use pre-cooked shrimp to save time; just toss with seasoning and warm briefly.
- Pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 210mg