1-Gathering and Prepping Ingredients: Before you begin, measure out everything to avoid any rush. Boil water with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and cook 8 ounces of penne pasta until it’s al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. While the pasta cooks, toss 1 pound of raw peeled and deveined shrimp with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to infuse it with flavor.

2-Cooking the Shrimp and Sauce: Next, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the seasoned shrimp until they turn golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Once the shrimp is done, remove it from the pan and set it aside. In the same skillet, add 1 cup of heavy cream to the pan with the leftover shrimp seasonings and let it simmer gently.

Stir in 1/2 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce, creating that creamy texture everyone loves. For more details on similar dishes, you might enjoy our Cajun chicken pasta recipe, which offers a fun twist on this favorite.

3-Combining and Serving: Finally, mix the cooked penne pasta and shrimp back into the sauce, using reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed. Taste and add more kosher salt if desired. Serve it hot for the best results, as this dish is meant to be enjoyed fresh.