Consider preparing cajun shrimp scampi if you’re looking for an enjoyable meal that can effortlessly cater to several people.
It’s an easy dish to prepare and it’s delicious.
The secret ingredient in this recipe is a spice blend called Cajun Seasoning.
It adds an extra level of flavor to the dish and makes it more interesting to eat.
Plus, it’s one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make.
What is cajun shrimp scampi?
Cajun shrimp scampi is a classic combination of flavors that originated in Louisiana.
The spicy mix of herbs and spices used in this recipe are called Cajun seasoning.
It’s a great choice when you want something with a lot of flavor but don’t have much time to cook.
Shrimp scampi is a type of seafood pasta that’s made by adding cooked shrimp to a simple white sauce and then topping it off with Parmesan cheese.
It’s a popular food all over the world and has been around since at least the 1920s.
But why is it so special?
There are two main reasons why people love this dish so much.
First, it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
Second, it’s full of protein, which helps keep your diet balanced.
Shrimp scampi is also high in iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc, making it a healthy option.
If you’re interested in learning how to cook other types of seafood meals, check out our guide to cooking clams.
If you’d like to learn how to make homemade raviolis, read about the different ways to cook stuffed pasta.
In addition to being tasty, cajun shrimp scampi is also very easy to prepare.
You just need to chop up some ingredients and put them in a pan.
Once the mixture comes to a boil, you add the shrimp and let it simmer until done.
Then, you toss everything together with a creamy white sauce and top it off with Parmesan cheese.
That’s it!
Making this dish is such a breeze because it only requires three steps.
So if you’re short on time, or don’t know what to cook for dinner, give this recipe a try.
How do you make cajun shrimp scampi?
Cajun shrimp scampi starts by cooking the shrimp.
You want them cooked through but not overcooked so they remain tender.
This dish also calls for some fresh basil, which goes well with any type of seafood.
The key to making sure the sauce turns out right is to use plenty of garlic.
Garlic has a lot of health benefits, including reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and improving overall heart health.
So, don’t be afraid to put a ton of garlic in your food!
Once you have all of the ingredients prepared, you just need to toss everything together and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens.
The sauce will take about 15 minutes to thicken, so keep an eye on it while it cooks.
You can serve the dish immediately after it’s done, but it’s even better when served cold.
That way, you can enjoy the flavors of both the shrimp and the sauce without having to wait too long for it to cool down.
What are the ingredients in cajun shrimp scampi?
Cajun shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American seafood pasta dish with a kick.
The main ingredients include shrimp, garlic, lemon, parsley, olive oil, butter, and white wine.
You can find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store or online.
Shrimp
You want to use large shrimp (16/20 count) because they’re larger than smaller ones.
They also have more meat on them, which will give you more bang for your buck.
If you don’t like shrimp, you can substitute other types of fish such as salmon or cod.
Garlic
For this recipe, you should use fresh minced garlic instead of powder or paste.
To do so, just finely mince the cloves using a knife or food processor.
Lemon
Fresh lemon juice is essential when making this dish.
You can either squeeze it yourself or buy bottled lemon juice.
If you prefer to squeeze lemons, be sure to use organic lemons since they tend to be sweeter.
Parsley
This herb is used in many different dishes so it’s important to add some to your cajun shrimp scampi.
It gives the dish some color and taste, plus it provides antioxidants and vitamins.
Olive Oil
Use extra virgin olive oil for this dish because it has less calories compared to regular olive oil.
When purchasing olive oil, look for something with a high smoke point.
This means that the oil can withstand higher temperatures without burning.
Butter
Instead of using regular margarine or shortening, you can use butter in this dish.
Butter is a healthier alternative to margarine or shortening because it contains no trans fats.
White Wine
White wine is another key component of this recipe.
You can choose between dry or sweet wine based on your preference.
Dry wines contain fewer carbohydrates and sugars while sweet wines are typically lower in alcohol content.
Full recipe
Ingredients
1/2 lb shrimp raw, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb pasta
3/4 cups white wine
1 lemon
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp capers optional
3 garlic cloves finely minced
1/2 tsp red crushed pepper optional
1/2 cup pasta water
3 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp paprika
2 tbsp olive oil
fresh parmesan
fresh parsley
Instructions
Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning.
Stir the shrimp and cook for 30 seconds on each side.
Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set it aside.
Add the butter, garlic, and red crushed pepper to the skillet and cook for 20 seconds.
Stir in the white wine, lemon juice, and capers.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10-15 minutes.
While the sauce cooks, cook the pasta according to packaging instructions and reserve some pasta water.
Stir in the pasta water and cook for 1 minute.
Stir in the butter and cook for 20 seconds.
Add the cooked pasta and shrimp and mix well.
Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
What is the history of cajun shrimp scampi?
Cajun shrimp scampi has been around since the 1950s but its popularity as a main course has only increased over time.
There are many different versions of the dish depending on where you live, but they all usually contain the same ingredients: shrimp, garlic, butter, flour, cream, wine, and herbs (usually parsley).
It’s believed that the name “shrimp scampi” comes from the French word “scamper,” which means to run quickly.
The dish was originally created by New Orleanian Chef Paul Prudhomme, who popularized it at his restaurant K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen.
K-Paul’s was known for being a hangout for celebrities like Michael Jackson and Cher, so it’s no surprise that the dish became extremely popular.
Today, you can find it served in restaurants across the country.
How did cajun shrimp scampi get its name?
Cajun shrimp scampi has been around since at least the 1960s, but the exact origin of the dish is unclear.
There are various theories as to how the name came about.
Some say it was a combination of two different dishes, while others claim it’s a fusion between Italian and French cuisine.
In any case, when you add the Cajun seasoning to the food, its flavor profile changes significantly.
The term “scampi” means small or young prawns, so the addition of the seasonings makes it taste like a milder version of shrimp linguini.
The dish originated in Louisiana where it’s known as “shrimp creole.”
In fact, many people think that Creole cuisine is the original source of the dish.
A popular theory says that the dish got its name from the famous New Orleans chef who created it.
According to his story, he named the dish after himself because he added a dash of “creole” (a mixture of herbs and spices) to the dish.
However, there’s no proof that this is true.
Another theory suggests that the name actually comes from a restaurant owner in New Orleans who gave it the same name.
Regardless of which part of the world invented the dish, it’s now enjoyed all over the world.
You can find it on menus in places such as Italy, France, Mexico, Canada, and Australia. It’s also available in grocery stores across the country.
What are some popular variations of cajun shrimp scampi?
Like most other recipes, there are many different versions of cajun shrimp scampi but the original is still the best.
The only real difference between them all is the amount of cajun seasoning used.
Some people use less, while others add more.
You can also try changing up the vegetables or using another type of seafood if you don’t like shrimp.
Cajun shrimp scampi is also known as shrimp scampi with crawfish tails.
There are many other ways to cook shrimp but people who love cajun cuisine tend to prefer this method.
What are some tips for making the best cajun shrimp scampi?
When preparing this recipe, you should use fresh ingredients whenever possible.
If you have frozen shrimp on hand, that would be fine.
But if not, try buying fresh ones instead.
Another tip is to buy larger shrimp than what you need because they’re cheaper.
Make sure to remove any shells before cooking them so all of the sauce is absorbed by the meat.
And lastly, don’t overcook the shrimp at all – just cook them until they turn opaque and the shell starts to peel off.
You can also make this recipe with lobster tails or calamari, but make sure to marinate them first so they get tenderized.
You can also add red bell pepper, garlic, and green onion to the dish.
Just keep in mind that these ingredients will take longer to cook.
But the most important thing is to use a good quality Cajun seasoning.
This isn’t a dish that needs too much effort, so it’s really up to you whether you want to spend money on the right kind of seasoning or not.
How should cajun shrimp scampi be served?
Cajun shrimp scampi is best served hot out of the pan, but you can also keep it warm by placing it on a serving platter and covering it with aluminum foil.
If you want to serve it cold, place it in the fridge while it rests.
What are some good side dishes?
You might be surprised at how many different kinds of foods you have in your kitchen right now.
You may be wondering where all these things came from and what they were used for before being put into your fridge or pantry.
The truth is that most of them were originally intended to be eaten as main courses.
So, if you’re looking for some good side dishes, you should consider making them yourself. Here are three options you can choose from:
Cauliflower gratin
Fried green tomatoes
Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon
Once you start cooking, you’ll see that there are many other side dishes you can try out.
All you need to do is find a new recipe and give it a shot.
Cajun Shrimp Scampi
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb shrimp raw peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb pasta
- 3/4 cup white wine
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp capers optional
- 3 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper crushed, optional
- 1/2 cup pasta water
- 3 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- parmesan fresh
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning.
- Stir the shrimp and cook for 30 seconds on each side.
- Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set it aside.
- Add the butter, garlic, and red crushed pepper to the skillet and cook for 20 seconds.
- Stir in the white wine, lemon juice, and capers.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- While the sauce cooks, cook the pasta according to packaging instructions and reserve some pasta water.
- Stir in the pasta water and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the butter and cook for 20 seconds.
- Add the cooked pasta and shrimp and mix well.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients to make the best Cajun shrimp scampi.
- Buy larger shrimp than what you need because they’re cheaper.
- Make sure to remove any shells before cooking shrimps so all of the sauce is absorbed by the meat.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp.
- Use a good quality Cajun seasoning.
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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