Description
A delightful blend of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors, perfect for cozy dinners or casual gatherings, featuring a rich sauce and tender pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb chicken breast or shrimp (sliced or peeled/deveined)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- Juice of ½ lime
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne in salted water until al dente, save ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook the Protein: Season chicken or shrimp with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning; sear in a skillet until fully cooked.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, add olive oil and butter, sauté bell peppers and garlic for 3-4 minutes.
- Build the Sauce: Add Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes; stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Combine Everything: Toss cooked pasta and protein in the sauce, using reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Adjust seasoning, top with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime, and serve hot.
Notes
Adjust the spice levels according to taste and experiment with different proteins or vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 85mg