Hi, I’m Lina. As a busy mom, I rely on recipes that feel comforting without needing hours in the kitchen. This dish is one of my easy weeknight favorites, simple, warm, and full of flavor. If you love homey food that brings everyone to the table, this recipe will be perfect for you.
Southern Comfort in One Pan
There’s something irresistible about Cajun Steak & Shrimp Pasta, it’s creamy, smoky, and just the right amount of spicy. Juicy steak slices and plump shrimp are tossed in a creamy Cajun sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta. Every bite is rich, bold, and loaded with Louisiana-style flavor.
This is the kind of dinner that makes your kitchen smell amazing and has everyone asking, “When are we having this again?” It feels indulgent enough for a special night, yet simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
If you love this kind of bold, Southern-inspired comfort food, you’ll also enjoy Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe. It brings that same restaurant-style flavor right to your home table.
Why You’ll Love This Cajun Pasta
- Creamy + spicy: The perfect balance of heat and comfort.
- One-skillet magic: Easy cleanup and fast prep.
- Restaurant-worthy at home: Feels fancy, but comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Crowd favorite: Everyone loves a good surf & turf twist!
Ingredients
For the Steak & Shrimp:
- 1 lb ribeye or sirloin steak
- ½ lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional for heat)
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)
- Chopped parsley and extra Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring salted water to a boil, cook pasta until al dente, and reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season and cook the steak: Pat steak dry and season with 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear 3–4 minutes per side. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
- Cook the shrimp: In the same pan, add another drizzle of olive oil. Toss shrimp with remaining Cajun seasoning and cook 2–3 minutes until pink and curled. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Lower the heat and melt butter in the pan. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Pour in cream, Parmesan, smoked paprika, and chili flakes. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened.
- Combine everything: Add cooked pasta, sliced steak, and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss to coat in the creamy sauce. Add a splash of pasta water if needed for a silky finish.
- Serve hot: Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.
Lina’s Kitchen Tips
- Use cast iron for searing. It gives the best crust on your steak.
- Don’t overcook shrimp. Two minutes per side keeps them tender.
- Add color! Bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes brighten up the dish beautifully.
- For extra Cajun kick: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or add a few drops of hot sauce.
This Cajun Steak & Shrimp Pasta is a flavor explosion, smoky, creamy, and satisfying in every forkful. It’s the perfect balance of surf and turf with that Southern-style heartiness that feels both indulgent and familiar.
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Cajun Steak & Shrimp Pasta: Creamy, Spicy, and So Satisfying
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Creamy Cajun steak and shrimp pasta with a rich garlic cream sauce, smoky Cajun spices, and tender steak and shrimp, a quick, flavorful Southern-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb ribeye or sirloin steak
½ lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp Cajun seasoning, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
½ cup Parmesan cheese
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
12 oz fettuccine or linguine
1 tbsp salt for boiling water
Parsley and Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook pasta until al dente; reserve ½ cup pasta water.
2. Season steak with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper; sear 3–4 minutes per side.
3. Rest and slice steak thinly.
4. Cook shrimp with remaining Cajun seasoning for 2–3 minutes; set aside.
5. Melt butter, sauté garlic, and stir in cream, Parmesan, paprika, and chili flakes.
6. Add pasta, steak, and shrimp; toss to coat in sauce.
7. Serve hot with parsley and Parmesan.
Notes
Use cast iron for a perfect sear.
Add bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for color.
Reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American