Cajun Shrimp Pasta Bake – Ash's In The Kitchen

I love this dish! It’s easy to make, quick and packed with flavor. I originally made it with kielbasa that I rendered in the oven until crispy, but my husband was adamant that it would be way better with shrimp. Wouldn’t you know it, he was right! I had some leftover country style gravy that I needed to use up, and this was perfect and saved me some time. I love it when that happens! “Slap Ya Mama” seasoning can be a bit salty, so no need to add any extra salt.

1 cup Onion; chopped

1 cup Bell Pepper; cored and chopped

1 Tablespoon Garlic; minced

1 lb Large Shrimp; peeled and deveined

1 Tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning

8 oz. Penne Pasta

1 ½ Tablespoons “Slap Ya Mama” Cajun Seasoning

1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika

½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

1 ½ cups Country Gravy

2 Tablespoons Cream Cheese; room temperature 

1 ½ cups Mexican Blend Cheese; divided

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Bring a pot of liberally salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until almost al dente; about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, bring a smaller pot with water to a boil and add the Old Bay seasoning and shrimp. Cook until pink, about 4 minutes. Drain and place in an ice bath.
4. In a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle in some olive oil and sauté the onions and bell peppers until tender. Add the garlic and continue to cook until fragrant; about 2 minutes. Pour in the gravy and add the seasonings, cream cheese and 1/2 cup Mexican cheese; stirring until the cheese is melted. 
5. Fold in the cooked pasta and shrimp, then transfer to a casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over top and bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 
6. Enjoy!

Looking for a side dish? Try one of these recipes!

Quick and Easy Italian Pasta Salad Garlic Parmesan Bubble Bread Sweet Onion Tomato Puff Pastry Pie Parmesan Herb Garlic Knots Cream Cheese Wild Rice Stuffed Mushrooms Air Fryer Parmesan Herb French Fries