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Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi

Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish with a little kick of spice. Tender shrimp coated in smoky blackened seasoning are tossed with cavatappi pasta, sweet corn, and a rich cream sauce kissed with tomato. It’s easy enough for weeknights but bold enough to impress at a dinner party.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick & Easy – Ready in about 25 minutes.
  • Comforting & Flavorful – Creamy sauce meets smoky shrimp with just the right amount of spice.
  • Versatile – Swap pasta shapes, adjust spice, or add extra veggies to make it your own.

Ingredients

  • Pasta: Cavatappi is ideal since its curves hold the sauce, but penne, rigatoni, or rotini work too.
  • Shrimp: Use large raw shrimp, deveined with tails removed. Fresh or thawed frozen shrimp both work well.
  • Blackened Seasoning: A spicy, smoky blend similar to Cajun seasoning. Make your own if you don’t have it on hand.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps sear the shrimp.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious base for the sauce. (Whole milk works, but the sauce will be thinner.)
  • Tomato Paste: Adds depth and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Sour Cream & Parmesan: For creaminess and tangy, cheesy flavor.
  • Corn: Sweet corn adds texture and balance. Frozen or canned both work.
  • Green Onion: Fresh garnish to brighten everything up.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta
    Bring salted water to a boil and cook cavatappi until al dente (about 8–9 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Shrimp
    Toss shrimp with blackened seasoning until evenly coated.
  3. Cook the Shrimp
    In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Make the Sauce
    Reduce heat to medium. Add heavy cream, scraping the pan to loosen browned bits. Stir in tomato paste, sour cream, and parmesan until smooth and melted.
  5. Bring it Together
    Add pasta, shrimp, and corn to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in the sauce.
  6. Serve
    Garnish with chopped green onions (or parsley) and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

  • Pre-Cooked Shrimp? Not ideal, but if that’s all you have, add them at the very end just to heat through.
  • Add Veggies: Bell peppers, spinach, or roasted zucchini would make tasty additions.
  • Make it Spicier: Add extra cayenne or red pepper flakes to the seasoning.
  • Lighter Version: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half and reduce parmesan slightly.

What to Serve with Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi

This pasta is hearty on its own, but pairs well with:

  • Roasted asparagus or green beans
  • A crisp wedge salad
  • Warm breadsticks or garlic bread
  • Brown butter Brussels sprouts

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.

Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 8 oz cavatappi pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 lb large shrimp, raw, deveined, tails removed
  • 2 tbsp blackened seasoning
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 can (15 oz) sweet corn, drained
  • Green onion or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain.
  2. Season shrimp with blackened seasoning.
  3. In a large skillet, melt butter and cook shrimp for 4–6 minutes, flipping halfway. Remove from skillet.
  4. Add cream to skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in tomato paste, sour cream, and parmesan until smooth.
  5. Add pasta, shrimp, and corn. Toss to coat.
  6. Garnish with green onion or parsley. Serve immediately.