Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Charred Peppers

Ingredients

• 8 oz penne
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 whole red and yellow bell peppers, sliced thin
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp cajun seasoning
• 1 whole lemon (zested and juiced)

Instructions

1. 1

   Boil salted water in a 12-inch skillet over high heat. Add penne and cook until al dente, ~10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water, and set aside.

2. 2

   In the same skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-high. Add sliced peppers and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes until edges char, then stir and cook 2 more minutes. Transfer to a plate.

3. 3

   Add remaining 2 tbsp butter and garlic to the skillet. Cook 45 seconds until fragrant, then add shrimp sprinkled with cajun seasoning.

4. 4

   Sear shrimp 90 seconds per side without stirring until edges turn opaque. Pour in cream and lemon juice, then return peppers to the pan.

5. 5

   Add cooked pasta to the skillet and stir gently, adding pasta water 2 tbsp at a time until sauce coats noodles without pooling.

6. 6

   Finish with lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Serve immediately from the pan or plated hot.

Tools you’ll need

• 12-inch skillet
• wooden spoon
• tongs
• microplane or zester
• colander

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