Get ready for a bold, creamy, saucy dinner with this dairy free cajun shrimp pasta. It takes 30 minutes to make and all comes together in ons pot. It’s lightened up with gluten free noodles and cashew or coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Dinner done in one pan is the best kind of meal!
If you love this recipe, try creamy cajun sausage pasta or cajun chicken and sausage pasta next!
One pot meals are staples in our house. Usually done in 30 minutes and one pan to clean. What’s not to love?!
I decided to make a shrimp version because our One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is one of my most popular recipes!
Need another creamy pasta recipe? Try creamy chicken sausage pasta, cajun sausage pasta, cajun chicken pasta, or spicy chicken chipotle pasta next!
What’s in Cajun Seasoning?
Cajun seasoning is a bold, spicy mix of herbs and spices. The heat comes from the cayenne pepper and paprika and the deep, earthy notes come from herbs like oregano and thyme. This spice blend goes on everything! And is especially good with shrimp.
- Smoked paprika
- Dried oregano
- Dried thyme
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Cumin
- Salt and pepper
Can I make it less spicy? Reduce the amount of cayenne in this recipe, which is where the majority of the heat comes from.
How to Make Dairy Free Shrimp Pasta
Here are the simple steps to make this non dairy shrimp pasta recipe. Skip to the recipe card for the full recipe.
- Mix the seasoning in a small bowl and set aside.
- Saute the onion, sausage and garlic with half of the cajun seasoning.
- Add the fire roasted tomatoes, broth and uncooked pasta to the pan and simmer for 11-12 minutes (stirring every few minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick).
- Coat the shrimp in the rest of the cajun seasoning.
- When the pasta is almost done, add the cream and shrimp and stir then cook for 3-5 minutes until the shrimp is opaque.
- Garnish with parsley and serve!
Cajun Shrimp Pasta Variations
- If you aren’t dairy free: you can use heavy cream or cream cheese instead of coconut cream.
- Instead of homemade cajun seasoning: You can use pre-made cajun seasoning or creole seasoning.
- To make this pescatarian: omit the sausage and use vegetable broth.
- If you don’t have fettuccine noodles: you can use penne instead (cook time will be different).
- For some extra greens: add fresh spinach at the end (after the shrimp). You could also add broccoli florets or asparagus in with the shrimp.
What Type of Shrimp to Buy?
- Opt for wild caught, large shrimp if possible (instead of farm raised).
- Buy frozen because the shrimp behind the counter is typically frozen and thawed anyway.
- Peeled and and deveined shrimp to save you prep time. I prefer the tails off for this recipe. Although the tails add flavor to a lot of recipes, I find it annoying to search through the pasta to peel off the tails.
- If your shrimp is still frozen, place the bag in a bowl with lukewarm water to thaw.
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Dairy-Free Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
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Ingredients
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon EACH: oregano, dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon EACH: cayenne pepper, cumin, black pepper OR
- OR 1 1/2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
Pasta
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 14 ounces pre-cooked smoked sausage cut into slices
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 12 ounces fettuccine gluten-free if needed
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 1/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 lb uncooked shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup coconut cream or cashew cream
- Chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Make the cajun seasoning by adding all of the ingredients (or just the cajun seasoning if using pre-made) to a medium bowl and set aside.2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon EACH: oregano, dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon EACH: cayenne pepper, cumin, black pepper
- Add the olive oil to the bottom of a deep skillet (or dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and rippling, add the diced yellow onion and smoked sausage to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and half of the cajun seasoning and cook for another minute.2 Tablespoons olive oil, 14 ounces pre-cooked smoked sausage, 1 medium yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Add the fire roasted tomatoes (with the juice), broth, and uncooked pasta. Stir to combine then close the lid and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 11-12 minutes, or according the pasta package directions. Open the lid to stir every few minutes.1 (14.5 ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes, 2 1/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, 12 ounces fettuccine
- While the pasta is cooking, add the shrimp to the remaining cajun seasoning and toss to coat.
- When the pasta is almost done cooking, add the coconut cream and shrimp and stir to combine. Allow the shrimp to cook until opaque, 3-5 minutes. Garnish and serve right away.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This has become a staple item in my house! I use a Cajun seasoning blend (Badia brand) to skip the steps of blending a bunch together, and add a little extra garlic. Top with fresh parm cheese! So delicious and makes plenty of left overs so it’s dinner for 2 nights in a row. My picky significant other says “give it 10 stars if you can!”.
omg 10 stars! I love that so much. I’m so glad it’s a staple!
This was absolutely amazing! We aren’t huge on spice so I left the cayenne pepper out. There was enough for me to have leftovers.
Thanks, April!!
Thank you so much, this was sooooo good!!! Like everyone else, I was looking for something different with shrimp!!!
Thank you, Machelle!!
This looks delicious! How would you recommend reheating leftovers? Unfortunately my picky kids won’t eat this so my husband and I will eat it over 2 nights. Thanks!
Hey Marissa! I’ve reheated it in the microwave, but you could also reheat it over the stove. You may need to add more broth or cream to thin it out. Thanks!
This was absolutely delicious! We loved it and the only thing I’d personally adjust is more shrimp 🙂 super easy to throw together and was great leftover too!
Amazing amazing recipe!! Easy to cook and really yummy result! My partner loved it a lot! Will definitely try out your other recipes 🙂
Thanks, Mae! So happy to hear that! We have lots of yummy dairy-free recipes.