10 min
Prep Time
23 min
Cook Time
Medium
Level
12
Servings

This creamy Cajun shrimp pasta dish packs plenty of veggies to lighten up the creamy sauce. The Cajun spice gives this dish a little kick, and the sour cream adds a nice tang to the cream sauce that coats the shrimp.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound raw large raw shrimp (26-30 shrimp), peeled and deveined

  • 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning

  • 12 ounces fettuccine, preferably whole-wheat

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 bunch scallions

  • 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced lengthwise

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth

  • ½ cup half-and-half

  • 1 (5 ounce) package baby spinach

  • ⅓ cup sour cream

  • ½ teaspoon salt

Method

  1. Combine shrimp and Cajun seasoning in a large bowl; toss well to coat. Set aside.

  2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain. Return the pasta to the pot off the heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and toss to coat.

  3. Meanwhile, thinly slice white and light green parts of scallions diagonally; set aside. Thinly slice dark green parts of scallions; set aside.

  4. Heat the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the sliced white and light green scallions, garlic, butter and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and softened, about 1 minute. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add broth and half-and-half; bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Add the seasoned shrimp; reduce heat to medium and cook until the shrimp are just cooked through and opaque and the sauce has thickened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes, turning the shrimp over halfway through. Remove from heat.

  5. Heat the pasta in the pot over low heat. Add spinach, sour cream, salt, the shrimp mixture and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water; stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly and adding more cooking water, if necessary, until the sauce becomes thick and creamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide evenly among 6 bowls and garnish with the sliced dark green scallions. Serve immediately.