Description
Spicy Cajun Shrimp Scampi brings Louisiana’s fiery coastal flavors to your dinner table with zesty garlic butter and succulent shrimp. Seasoned with bold Cajun spices, this quick dish promises restaurant-quality excitement that will make dinner feel like a celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully reserve ¼ cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining the pasta.
- Using paper towels, thoroughly dry the shrimp and generously coat with Cajun seasoning, ensuring each piece is evenly seasoned with salt and pepper.
- In a spacious skillet, melt olive oil and butter over medium-high heat until shimmering. Arrange shrimp in a single layer, cooking 1-2 minutes per side until they transform into a vibrant pink with crispy edges.
- Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside. Reduce heat to medium and introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine and fresh lemon juice, scraping up caramelized bits from the bottom. Allow the liquid to simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes, creating an intense sauce.
- Reintroduce the seared shrimp to the skillet, then gently fold in the drained pasta. Toss everything together, using reserved pasta water to create a silky, cohesive sauce.
- Incorporate remaining butter, stirring until completely melted and coating every ingredient. Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Plate the dish with optional lemon wedges and a delicate sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm and fragrant.
Notes
- Prevent overcooking shrimp by watching for pink color and slight curl, which signals they’re perfectly done and won’t become rubbery.
- Control spice level by adjusting Cajun seasoning amount or choosing mild versus hot blends to suit personal heat preferences.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives for sensitive diners.
- Enhance dish’s depth by using dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which adds sophisticated flavor complexity to the scampi sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg