Copycat Chili’s Cajun Shrimp Pasta

This Copycat Chili’s Cajun Shrimp Pasta features creamy alfredo sauce tossed with succulent Cajun shrimp. It’s delicious – and easy enough for a weeknight meal!

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We don’t eat out at chain restaurants very often. However, on occasion we get a craving for Chili’s and when we do, we almost always order their fajitas. I’d say 9 out of 10 times when we find ourselves at Chili’s, we’re ordering the fajitas. The flavor of their steak and chicken fajitas is insanely good! The shrimp fajitas? Not so much. So when I’m in a seafood mood, I’ll go with their shrimp pasta.

Chili’s Cajun Shrimp Pasta features penne pasta and shrimp tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce combined with the bold flavors of Cajun seasoning. Oh, and add a piece of garlic toast in there, too…you know, in case you’re still hungry after eating an entire plate of creamy pasta!

Copycat Chili’s Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Years ago, we stumbled across a copycat recipe for Chili’s fajitas, and we make that recipe every month or two. It’s a staple in our house, and the marinated chicken is absolutely delicious! We do love Cajun flavors, too, so I decided it was about time to recreate that Chili’s pasta recipe here at home. This Copycat Chili’s Cajun Shrimp Pasta turned out really well – like “lick the bowl clean” kinda well. I highly recommend it!

It’s hard to go wrong with pasta…especially when that pasta is tossed with a creamy homemade alfredo sauce. But add in some shrimp and Cajun spices? Now that’s the kind of meal I love! And this recipe really is easy enough to cook on a weeknight. Delicious and easy? That’s a win-win in my book.

The heat from the Cajun seasonings cuts through the richness of the alfredo sauce, and the result is fantastic. This is the type of recipe that’s perfect for chilly winter nights.

Variations

If you’re not a fan of shrimp, this Copycat Chili’s Cajun Shrimp Pasta could easily turn into a Cajun Chicken Pasta. Just omit the shrimp and add 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead. I’d recommend tossing the chicken breasts in Cajun seasoning before grilling or sauteing. Then just cut into slices and mix into the pasta the same as you would with the shrimp. (You could also leave the shrimp and/or chicken out entirely to create a vegetarian version.)

In keeping with the Cajun theme, I suspect that sliced Andouille sausage would be pretty fantastic in this recipe, too. Just slice up a link of sausage and sauté that in a separate pan while you’re making this recipe. Then toss that sausage into the pasta at the end.

If you’re looking to add more veggies to this dish, sauteed bell peppers would be a great addition. Of course, it’s no longer a copycat Chili’s Cajun Shrimp Pasta….but it’d still be delicious!

A note about Cajun Seasoning

Cajun seasonings vary wildly from brand to brand. Some are much saltier than others. (Tony Chachere’s makes a no salt Creole seasoning that is quite fantastic.) For this recipe, I recommend using your favorite brand. If you don’t have a favorite brand (or if you’re worried about this recipe becoming too salty), then I recommend making your own Cajun seasoning. I’ve included notes in the recipe below for making homemade Cajun seasoning.

If you’re looking to boost the spiciness of a Cajun dish, I recommend adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Adding more Cajun seasoning will likely make this dish too salty.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover Cajun Shrimp Pasta should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place the pasta in a skillet over medium heat for several minutes. If needed, add a splash of the reserved pasta water or additional cream. I do not recommend freezing the leftovers from this recipe.

This creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a simple pasta dish to make. It’s easy enough for weeknight cooking, but it’s tasty enough to serve for a fancy dinner with company. From the succulent Cajun shrimp to the creamy alfredo sauce, this recipe is packed with flavor. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do around here – Cheers!

Did you make this Copycat Chili’s Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!

Copycat Chili’s Cajun Shrimp Pasta

This Copycat Chili's Cajun Shrimp Pasta features creamy alfredo sauce tossed with succulent Cajun shrimp. It's delicious – and easy enough for a weeknight meal!

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 680kcal

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Ingredients

• 8 oz. penne pasta
• 16 oz. large shrimp peeled and deveined
• 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning divided (see note)
• ½ Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter divided
• 1½ tsp minced garlic
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 Roma tomatoes diced
• 1¼ cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnishing
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

• Using a large pot, cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta and set aside. (Tip: Reserve ½ cup of pasta water for later.)
• Meanwhile, toss shrimp in 1 Tbsp of Cajun seasoning.
• Using a large skillet, add olive oil and 1 Tbsp of butter; place skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add shrimp and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until shrimp are fully cooked (i.e. no longer translucent). Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
• Add remaining 1 Tbsp of butter to skillet. Once butter has melted, add garlic. Sauté for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
• Add black pepper and diced tomatoes; stir until well combined. Continue sauteing for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the remaining 1 Tbsp of Cajun seasoning, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese; stir until well combined.
• Bring mixture to a simmer and then reduce heat to medium-low. Continue simmering for 2-3 minutes, or until mixture thickens noticeably. (Note: The longer you simmer the sauce at this stage, the thicker it will become.)
• Add cooked pasta and cooked shrimp to skillet; stir until well combined. Continue sauteing for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. (Tip: If sauce is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water.)
• Divide pasta into bowls and top with chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

If you want to make your own Cajun seasoning, use 1 Tbsp paprika, ½ Tbsp garlic powder, ½ Tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp kosher salt and ¼-½ tsp cayenne pepper (depending on taste preference).

Looking for more Cajun recipes? Check out these other favorites, too: