Description
A rich and creamy Cajun spaghetti with tender beef and succulent shrimp in a spicy, flavorful sauce. Perfect for a gourmet meal at home, this easy recipe is indulgent and packed with bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 8 oz beef (sirloin or ribeye), thinly sliced
- 8 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
1. Cook the Spaghetti
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
2. Prepare the Beef and Shrimp
- Season beef slices with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of Cajun seasoning.
- Season shrimp with salt and Cajun seasoning.
3. Sear the Beef and Shrimp
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear beef slices until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add more oil if needed and cook shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4. Prepare the Cajun Cream Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onion, garlic, and red bell pepper until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Toast for a few seconds.
- Pour in broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, letting it melt into a creamy sauce.
5. Combine Everything
- Return cooked beef and shrimp to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce.
- Add drained spaghetti, tossing everything together to coat evenly.
- Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
6. Finish and Serve
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pasta.
- Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Protein Swaps: Use chicken instead of beef or make it seafood-only with just shrimp.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace beef and shrimp with mushrooms, zucchini, or tofu.
- Extra Heat: Add more red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- Lighter Version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: pasta
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun, fusion
Keywords: creamy Cajun pasta, surf and turf pasta, spicy shrimp spaghetti, beef and shrimp pasta, Cajun cream sauce pasta