Sunday, March 20, 2011

Crazy Cajun Pasta



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
1TSPS olive oil
1-2 cloves garlic-minced
½ medium red or yellow onion-diced
1 cup shredded parmesan or jack cheese
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (or more if desired)
Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper

Directions:
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.  SautĂ© 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!


Recipe Notes: 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. :-)

Posted by Buffie

Crazy Cajun Pasta

<p>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 ...

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