Creamy Lemon Parmesan Cajun Shrimp Pasta
A quick, vibrant, flavor-packed weeknight dinner that comes together in under 25 minutes, all in one skillet. This creamy Cajun shrimp pasta brings together bright lemon, smoky spices, tender shrimp, and a silky Parmesan sauce that coats every piece of pasta.
It’s the kind of dish that feels restaurant-level but is incredibly doable at home, even on a busy night.
This meal starts with Cajun-seasoned shrimp seared until just golden, then builds flavor with onion, bell pepper, celery (your trinity), garlic, wine, broth, cream, and plenty of Parmesan. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, making this both fast and mess-free.
If you love creamy pastas with big bold flavor and a punch of citrus, this will land in your weekly rotation.
Before You Get Started
A few notes to help this recipe turn out perfectly every time:
- Use freshly grated Parmesan, it melts smoother and makes the sauce silkier.
- Shrimp cooks fast. Pull it out as soon as it turns opaque so it stays tender.
- Lemon zest goes into the sautéed veggies for brightness, while the lemon juice is added at the end to keep the sauce fresh.
- Pasta type doesn’t matter, choose your favorite shape.
- Cajun heat level is flexible: adjust to taste.
What You Need to Make Creamy Lemon Parmesan Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Shrimp
- Pasta of choice
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Celery
- Garlic
- Butter
- White wine
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Lemon zest + lemon juice
- Magic Seafood Seasoning
- Creole Trinity & Herb seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Black pepper + salt
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
How to Make Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
1
Season the Shrimp
Coat the shrimp generously in Magic Seafood Seasoning and Creole Trinity & Herb so it’s fully dusted in flavor before hitting the pan.
2
Sear the Shrimp
Sear shrimp in butter over medium-high heat just until opaque, then remove. This keeps it tender instead of rubbery.
3
Build the Cajun Lemon Base
Add onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and lemon zest to the same skillet. Deglaze with white wine, scraping up the browned bits that add so much flavor.
4
Add Seasonings
Stir in more Creole Trinity & Herb and Cajun seasoning. Let it bloom with the aromatics.
5
Cook the Pasta in One Pot
Add the uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Simmer until the pasta softens and absorbs most of the liquid.
6
Make It Creamy
Stir in Parmesan, lemon juice, and black pepper. Adjust salt to taste. The sauce will thicken as the cheese melts.
7
Add the Shrimp Back
Fold the shrimp back into the pasta and let everything come together. Finish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon if you love extra citrus.
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp peeled & deveined
- 8 oz pasta of choice penne, rotini, linguine all work great
- 1 small onion or ½ large onion diced
- ½ bell pepper diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp butter
- ¼ cup white wine
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of ½ large lemon or 1 small lemon
- 1½ Tbsp Magic Seafood Seasoning
- 1½ Tbsp Creole Trinity & Herb for seasoning shrimp
- 1 Tbsp Creole Trinity & Herb for the sauce
- ½ –1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning to taste
- 1 Tbsp freshly cracked black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Season the Shrimp
- In a bowl, toss shrimp with Magic Seafood Seasoning and 1½ tablespoons Creole Trinity & Herb until evenly coated.
Sear the Shrimp
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter, then shrimp. Sear 1–2 minutes per side until just cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
Build the Flavor Base
- In the same skillet, add onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and lemon zest. Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful bits. Sauté until vegetables soften, about 3–4 minutes.
Season the Veggies
- Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon Creole Trinity & Herb and Cajun seasoning. Let it cook into the vegetables for about 30 seconds.
Cook the Pasta
- Add dry pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the veggie mixture. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid has reduced (about 10–12 minutes).
Finish the Sauce
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt to taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Bring It All Together
- Add shrimp back to the skillet and gently toss until warmed through.
Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
