Description
Indulge in a flavorful Cajun Shrimp Pumpkin Pasta Bake recipe that combines savory shrimp, creamy pumpkin sauce, and al dente pasta. Learn how to make this comforting dish today!
Ingredients
- 450 grams large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) (8 grams) Cajun seasoning
- 225 grams penne pasta
- 240 ml pumpkin puree
- 240 ml heavy cream
- 100 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) (1 gram) paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) (1 gram) black pepper
- 3 grams salt
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) (15 grams) beef butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) (8 grams) chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Stir in Cajun seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and salt.
- Add shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the pumpkin puree and heavy cream until well combined.
- Add cooked pasta to the pumpkin sauce and mix until coated.
- Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Add the shrimp back into the skillet and mix everything together.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, opt for fresh shrimp over frozen.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to suit your preferred level of spiciness.
- Swap heavy cream for Greek yogurt to create a lighter sauce.
