Crazy Cajun Pasta

By BuffieBelinda

This idea came from a box! A friend made a frozen meal similar to this, so I just made up my own version. You can make it spicier of you like by adding more cayenne. You can also substitute the shrimp with chicken or a spicy sausage; OR go crazy and add all three! I think I will try THAT next time I make it!

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh (peeled and deveined w/o tail) or frozen shrimp (thawed)
• 1 box Penne or other small pasta (cooked)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 TBSP butter
• 2 TBSP flour
• 1 TSPS olive oil
• 1-2 cloves garlic-minced
• 1/2 medium red or yellow onion-diced
• 1 cup shredded parmesan or jack cheese
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or more if desired)
• Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Sauce
1. Melt 2 TBSP butter in a sauce pan on medium heat
2. Add flour and stir to combine
3. Heat 1-2 minutes to cook out the flour taste. Do not let brown; you are making a ‘blonde roux’
4. Slowly whisk in milk
5. Stir in cheese
6. Add Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper
7. Simmer on low until cheese is melted and sauce is thickened; stirring occasionally

Shrimp
1. Melt 2 TBSP butter and olive oil on medium high to high heat in a heavy skillet
2. Add onions and garlic
3. Sauté until softened (about 2 minutes)
4. Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper
5. Toss in with onions and garlic
6. Cook until shrimp curls and turns a pinkish color-5 minutes
7. Pour shrimp mixture into sauce
8. Add to cooked pasta
9. Stir to combine
10. Enjoy!