Description
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a flavorful, high-protein dish combining tender shrimp, vibrant bell peppers, and a luscious cottage cheese cream sauce spiced with Cajun seasoning. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, it balances richness and spice while incorporating protein pasta for an extra boost.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Pasta and Vegetables
- 4 oz (112g) protein pasta, cooked, with 1 cup pasta water reserved
- 2 tsp (8g) olive oil
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 lb (454g) shrimp, thawed and deveined
- 1 (165g) red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/3 cup (40g) scallions, sliced
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
Cottage Cheese Cream Sauce
- 1 cup (226g) low fat cottage cheese (2% lowfat)
- 1/2 cup (110g) 2% milk (can substitute skim or whole milk)
- 1/4 cup (32g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Begin by cooking the protein pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and keep it warm.
- Sauté Shrimp and Vegetables: Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, seasoning them with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add the sliced red bell pepper, scallions, dried thyme, paprika, and optional cayenne pepper, sautéing until the vegetables are tender but still crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
- Prepare Cottage Cheese Cream Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 cup 2% milk, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Sauce with Vegetables and Pasta: Pour the blended cottage cheese sauce into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to combine, then add the cooked protein pasta. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until your desired creaminess is reached.
- Reintroduce Shrimp: Add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet, stirring gently to coat everything in the creamy Cajun sauce. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm through without overcooking the shrimp.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with extra scallions or Parmesan if desired. Enjoy your high-protein, flavorful creamy Cajun shrimp pasta!
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the heat level of the dish.
- Using protein pasta increases the overall protein content, but you can substitute regular pasta if preferred.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the cottage cheese and milk with plant-based alternatives, though the sauce flavor and texture will vary.
- Reserve pasta water is used to adjust the sauce consistency, so add it gradually.
- Cooking shrimp quickly is critical to prevent them from becoming tough and rubbery.
Keywords: Cajun shrimp pasta, creamy pasta, high protein pasta recipe, cottage cheese sauce, easy shrimp dinner, low fat pasta dish, spicy pasta