Blackened Shrimp Creamy Cavatappi

Featured in Cozy Comfort Food Classics.

Curly cavatappi soaks up a dreamy, creamy sauce while spiced shrimp get a quick sear for big flavor. Sweet corn brings little pops of crunch and sweetness. The mix of heat and cream in this cheesy pasta makes every bite comforting and bold. Fresh green onions sprinkled on top cut through the richness, so it's never too heavy. Super satisfying for cozy nights in—just grab your fork and dig in while it's steamy and hot.

Sarah Recipes
Updated on Sat, 24 May 2025 22:08:28 GMT
Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi Pin it
Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi | recipesaddicts.com

Loaded with hearty shrimp and a creamy tangy sauce, this Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi is perfect for a chill night. The shrimp sizzle up with lots of deep flavor then get mixed with twisty noodles that grab every bit of sauce. Corn brings natural sweetness while a green topper makes it pop on the plate. My crew gets pumped as soon as the aroma hits the kitchen and it disappears in minutes.

Once I tossed this together with some extra shrimp, people wiped out the pan before I could even set out forks. Now my friends ask for it whenever we cook as a group.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Green onion: toss on top at the end for crunch and bright color make sure it’s crisp
  • Parmesan cheese: swipe a block over a grater for bold taste pre-shredded just doesn’t melt right
  • Sour cream: makes the sauce zippy keeps things from feeling too heavy always use regular full-fat
  • Cavatappi noodles: those curly spirals catch all the goodness shell out for bronze-cut if it’s there
  • Tomato paste: this gives rich flavor and touch of sweetness double-concentrated is extra nice
  • Sweet corn: every spoonful gets sweet pop canned works but frozen or fresh works too
  • Heavy cream: lush and thick, it’s the sauce’s base pick the kind with the most fat
  • Large shrimp: peel and debein for best texture wild ones taste top notch
  • Blackened seasoning: smoky and spicy adds color opt for less salty or whip one up quick
  • Unsalted butter: gives rich flavor when you cook the shrimp European butter if you want it extra special

Easy Step Guide

Add the Finishing Touch:
Dole out the pasta onto plates and sprinkle with chopped green onions right at the end for a crisp touch and splash of color
Combine Everything:
Dump the pasta, shrimp, and corn into your skillet and give it a super good toss so every noodle is coated Let it all heat up for a couple minutes so the flavor soaks through
Smooth Out the Sauce:
Lower the heat Throw in that tomato paste, sour cream, and all your Parmesan Keep stirring so everything melts and the sauce turns silky, which takes just a minute or two
Make Your Sauce Base:
Still got your skillet hot? Pour in the cream, scrape up any browned bits the shrimp left behind, and let it all gently bubble and thicken for about two minutes
Sear the Shrimp:
Get a big pan hot on medium-high, add butter and let it foam Lay in shrimp without crowding Sear for a couple minutes until they curl and get a bit opaque Flip ‘em, cook another couple minutes just till done Take shrimp out so they stay juicy
Coat the Shrimp:
Spread the shrimp on a plate, shower with seasoning, and use your hands to press it in Gently and evenly Get them soaking up flavor while you prep the sauce
Cook the Noodles:
Bust out a big pot, fill it with lots of salted water, and get it boiling Throw in the cavatappi and cook until just al dente—taste one for a tiny chewiness, somewhere around eight or nine minutes
A bowl of pasta with shrimp and corn. Pin it
A bowl of pasta with shrimp and corn. | recipesaddicts.com

The best part for me is that sizzling buttery shrimp—watching the golden bits crisp and stealing a piece or two before dinner. My little brother always noses around, hoping for extras, since he loves that smoky-spicy hit.

Storing Info

Move any leftovers to a tightly closed container and pop it in the fridge for up to two days. Skip the freezer because that creamy sauce won't hold up. Warm it back up on the stove with a splash of milk or cream so it stays smooth and the noodles don't dry out.

Swap Options

No cavatappi? Rotini or penne work awesome since they grab sauce too. Need to skip dairy? Trade out the heavy cream and sour cream for coconut cream and dairy-free yogurt. Parmesan swap? Try nutritional yeast and a squeeze of lemon for a punch. Chicken or tofu are solid stand-ins for shrimp if that’s your thing.

Fun Ways to Serve

This pasta loves garlic bread—wipes up extra sauce in a flash. Add a crisp salad with a citrusy dressing for balance. If you want kick, slice up some jalapeños and pile them right on top before serving.

Easy Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi. Pin it
Easy Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi. | recipesaddicts.com

The Story Behind the Dish

The bold spices and fast-cooking technique come straight out of Cajun kitchens in Louisiana. Mixing that up with swirly Italian pasta brings comfort and a fun twist. It's where two classics meet—you get all those cozy and wow flavors in one meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of shrimp works best?

Get raw, big shrimp that are cleaned and peeled. They cook fast and turn out juicy every time.

→ Is cavatappi essential or can I substitute another pasta?

Cavatappi grabs onto sauces really well, but you can swap in rotini, penne, or fusilli if you want—just as good.

→ How can I adjust the spice level?

You can easily tweak the heat—just use more or less blackened seasoning, or pick a milder blend if you don’t like it hot.

→ Can this dish be made ahead?

Tastes best right after cooking, but you can toss leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days and reheat gently when you're ready.

→ What can I use as garnish?

Top with some chopped green onion, parsley, or even chives—whatever’s handy adds color and a burst of freshness.

Blackened Shrimp Creamy Cavatappi

Swirly cavatappi, saucy shrimp with a spicy kick, and sweet corn, all tucked in a rich, creamy sauce—real comfort food.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Sarah

Category: Comfort Food

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (Serves 4 portions)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Pasta

01 225g cavatappi, boiled in salty water till just tender

→ Seafood

02 450g big shrimp, cleaned and no tails

→ Seasonings

03 2 tbsp blackened blend seasoning

→ Sauce

04 15g plain butter
05 238g heavy cream
06 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 57.5g sour cream
08 50g parmesan, grated

→ Vegetables

09 425g drained sweet corn
10 Green onion, chopped, for topping

Instructions

Step 01

Let water get nice and bubbly, toss in salt, then dump in your cavatappi. Boil about 8 to 9 minutes, following the package so it's just firm. Drain. Set it aside for later.

Step 02

Dry the shrimp off, sprinkle with plenty of that blackened spice. Melt butter in a big pan over medium-high. Throw shrimp in one layer. Sear each side 2 or 3 minutes until they're pink with a little char. Move them out to a plate.

Step 03

Turn the pan down to medium. Pour in heavy cream, stirring as you scrape up all that flavor left behind. Let it gently bubble a bit.

Step 04

Drop heat to low. Spoon in tomato paste, stir in the sour cream and parmesan. Mix until cheese disappears and sauce's totally smooth.

Step 05

Dump your pasta, shrimp, and sweet corn back in the pan. Mix everything really well so sauce gets on everything.

Step 06

Spoon the pasta into bowls. Sprinkle a bunch of fresh green onion on top before you eat.

Notes

  1. Fresh parmesan works best. Hold off adding shrimp to the sauce until last minute, so they won't end up rubbery.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pot for boiling your noodles
  • Roomy skillet
  • Colander
  • Wooden spoon or a silicone spatula

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has shellfish and dairy (cream, cheese, butter), plus maybe gluten since the pasta could have it.