Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Bake

That’s a rich and flavorful dish — creamy Alfredo with Cajun spice and baked pasta!  Here’s a hearty recipe for Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Bake:

🦐 Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Bake

Ingredients

For the pasta:

• 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined

• 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided)

• 2 Tbsp olive oil or butter

For the Alfredo sauce:

• 3 Tbsp butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

• 3 cups heavy cream (or half & half)

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (plus extra for topping)

• ½ tsp paprika

• Salt & pepper to taste

Optional add-ins:

• 1 cup spinach or broccoli (for extra veggies)

• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (for sweetness)

Instructions

1. Cook pasta:

   • Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Season & cook shrimp:

   • Toss shrimp with 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning.

   • Heat oil/butter in a skillet, cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until just pink. Remove and set aside.

3. Make Alfredo sauce:

   • In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.

   • Whisk in flour to make a roux (1–2 minutes).

   • Slowly whisk in cream, stirring until thickened (5 minutes).

   • Stir in Parmesan, mozzarella, paprika, remaining Cajun seasoning, salt & pepper.

4. Assemble bake:

   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

   • In a large baking dish, combine pasta, Alfredo sauce, and shrimp (reserving a few for topping).

   • Stir in any optional veggies.

   • Sprinkle with extra mozzarella on top.

5. Bake:

   • Bake uncovered 20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

   • Garnish with parsley or green onions.

6. Serve:

   • Best served hot with garlic bread or a crisp salad. 🥖🥗