Skip to Content

Skinny Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Skinny Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Skinny cajun shrimp alfredo pasta for #30MinuteThursday can be on the table in 20 minutes and everyone will love it!  Alfredo pasta, but healthier!

Skinny Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta - Skinny cajun shrimp alfredo pasta for #30MinuteThursday can be on the table in 20 minutes and everyone will love it! Alfredo pasta, but healthier!

I needed to give you a great recipe to use that homemade cajun seasoning in.  Obviously.  You knew this was coming next.

Skinny cajun shrimp alfredo pasta.  This one will be made often around here I think.  So tasty, so easy, and so fast.  Plus, it was super easy to make some plain shrimp and pasta (so boring right?) for the kids that don’t really like sauce or spice.  Usually I just make them eat whatever we’re having because I’m really not one for making multiple meals every night.

But, every once in a while, when it’s easy to modify stuff so I know they’ll like it, I do.  Leaving some of the pasta and shrimp plain is no extra effort and everyone is happy.

Skinny Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta - Skinny cajun shrimp alfredo pasta for #30MinuteThursday can be on the table in 20 minutes and everyone will love it! Alfredo pasta, but healthier!

For the rest of us though, who enjoy some flavour in our food, cajun shrimp alfredo pasta is a fantastic meal.  It’s easy to make and is ready in 20 minutes.  I even checked the nutritional information on the sauce compared to a regular alfredo sauce (I was curious how skinny it was) and it’s half the calories of regular alfredo sauce, and we enjoyed it just as much, so there’s that.  If you’ve got an alfredo pasta craving, this will do the trick but will be much healthier.  And you should definitely top it with some cajun shrimp – obviously.

Also – it’s the first Thursday of the month!  That means it’s 30 Minute Thursday and there’s a whole list of great 30 minute meals at the bottom of this post, below the recipe.

If you’re new around here, 30 Minute Thursday is where myself and a group of my blogging friends get together to bring our readers some 30 minute meals to get you through those busy nights when you don’t have much time to cook.  If you’d like to check out past 30 Minute Thursday posts, you can click here to get to those for more 30 minute meal inspiration!

Skinny Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta - Skinny cajun shrimp alfredo pasta for #30MinuteThursday can be on the table in 20 minutes and everyone will love it! Alfredo pasta, but healthier!

Tips for perfect skinny cajun shrimp alfredo pasta:

Yield: serves 4

Skinny Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Skinny Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Skinny cajun shrimp alfredo pasta can be on the table in 20 minutes and everyone will love it!  Alfredo pasta, but healthier!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces (225g) pasta (I used linguine, use whatever you like)
  • 1 pound shrimp (shelled)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3 teaspoons cajun seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cup milk (I used 2%)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions in a large pot of boiling water. Drain.
  2. Meanwhile, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  3. Toss the shrimp with the olive oil and the cajun seasoning.
  4. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes, flipping once, until they are completely pink.
  5. Set aside and keep warm.
  6. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter.
  7. Add the garlic and cook, stirring for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  8. Whisk in the flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until it is lightly browned, about 1 minute.
  9. Slowly whisk in the milk, stirring until it is incorporated and smooth.
  10. Add the thyme, oregano, salt, pepper and parmesan and whisk continuously for 3-4 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  11. Reduce the heat to a low simmer until the pasta is ready.
  12. Toss together the pasta and alfredo sauce and serve with the cajun shrimp on top.
  13. Garnish with parsley and additional parmesan if desired.

Notes

Recommended Products

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1/4 recipe

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 443Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 267mgSodium: 1620mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 37g

Nutrition Information is estimated based on ingredients used and may not be exact.

30-min-thursday.logo
Baked Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups by Pumpkin ‘N Spice

30 Minute Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup by Kristine’s Kitchen

One Pot Pizza Gnocchi Pasta by Savory Nothings

30-Minute Cheesy Mexican Rice Skillet by Flavor the Moments

Vegetable Noodle Stir Fry with Orange by Floating Kitchen

One Pot BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Rice by The Recipe Rebel

Kale Pesto Pasta with Tofu by She Likes Food

Garlic Butter Monte Cristo Pull-Apart Sliders by Whole and Heavenly Oven

Shrimp and Vodka Penne Pasta by My Kitchen Craze

 This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I receive a small commission. 

Caroline

Wednesday 10th of October 2018

I made this last night for my husband and I... and wow. Seriously so, so good! I did add extra parmesan to the sauce (okay, a good amount of extra parmesan) because why the heck not. I ate the leftovers for lunch, even better than the night before! Thanks for such an easy take on alfredo pasta thats delicious and isn't heavy with cream! Sending this recipe to my brother who is an alfredo junkie!

Stacey

Thursday 11th of October 2018

So glad you liked it Caroline. And yes to more parmesan! :)

Emma

Thursday 31st of August 2017

The first thing out of my mouth once I took a bite was "this tastes like it came from a restaurant"! Thanks for such an easy and tasty recipe

stacey

Friday 1st of September 2017

Thank you Emma! I'm so glad you enjoyed it - it's one of our favourites!

Brittany Jurado

Wednesday 2nd of August 2017

I tried clicking on the link for the Cajun season in the ingredients section and I'm getting a 404 not found error. I've made the seasoning before and loved it, but can't find the recipe anymore :( would you happen to know the recipe?

stacey

Sunday 6th of August 2017

Hi Brittany - sorry about that, not sure what happened but the link is fixed now! The recipe is here: https://bake-eat-repeat.com/homemade-cajun-seasoning-recipe/.

Shelly

Wednesday 17th of May 2017

Very tasty! I used nonfat milk because that's what we always have in the house and a bit more Parmesan. Alfredo sauce still tasted creamy.

stacey

Wednesday 17th of May 2017

Good to know that non-fat milk works well too! Glad you liked it Shelly!

DK

Saturday 4th of February 2017

Has anybody tried it with peeled and deveined shrimp with tail off?

Shelly

Wednesday 17th of May 2017

I peeled the shrimp first. Family doesn't like to have to peel and eat them. Came out fine.

stacey

Sunday 5th of February 2017

I've made this many times with peeled and deveined shrimp with the tails removed - you make it exactly the same way!

Skip to Recipe