Healthy Cajun Creamy Shrimp Pasta | 30 Minute Dinner

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and adds a cheesy flavor.

Cook linguini until al dente and reserve one cup of the pasta water.

Clean and devein shrimp, removing the tail.

Add freshly grated garlic, Cajun seasoning, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and salt to the shrimp and combine.

Add olive oil and fresh lemon juice to the shrimp mixture and set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add about a teaspoon of olive oil.

Once heated, add the shrimp and cook for about a minute on each side until they change color.

Once nearly done, add a tablespoon of butter and transfer the shrimp to a dish.

Blend low-fat cream cheese, 2% milk, and freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano to make the sauce.

Turn the heat to medium and add the sauce to the pan, scraping up the fond from the bottom.

Add garlic powder, oregano, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika to the sauce and mix well.

Simmer the sauce on low for a few minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.

Add the shrimp back into the sauce and taste for salt and spice, adjusting as needed.

Turn the heat to medium-low and let the shrimp simmer in the sauce for about a minute to finish cooking.

Add the cooked linguini and a bit of the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.

Top with freshly chopped parsley and serve.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens