Description
Spicy Cajun pepper shrimp dances with creamy orzo, bringing Southern comfort to your plate. Zesty flavors mingle with sweet corn, creating a bold culinary experience you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail on or off)
- 1 uncooked Andouille sausage links (meat removed from casings)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 4 ears corn kernels (removed from the cob)
- 2 bell peppers (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced or grated)
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh basil roughly chopped
- 1 lemon (juice)
Pantry and Dairy Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1/3 cup dry white wine (such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1/2 cup canned coconut cream or heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan or Asiago cheese
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the creamed corn orzo by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Melt butter and sauté corn with thyme, salt, and pepper until golden, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add orzo to the skillet and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Deglaze the pan with wine, then pour in water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until orzo reaches al dente consistency.
- Stir in milk and parmesan cheese, warming through until creamy and smooth.
- Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning and black pepper in a mixing bowl, ensuring even coating.
- In a separate skillet, brown sausage over high heat for about 5 minutes, creating a deep caramelized exterior.
- Add bell peppers to the sausage, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until peppers soften, approximately 5 minutes.
- Remove sausage and peppers from the skillet, setting aside on a plate.
- Increase skillet heat and add olive oil. Sear shrimp for 2-3 minutes, turning to cook both sides until pink.
- Incorporate butter, minced garlic, and thyme, tossing to coat shrimp. Cook until garlic becomes fragrant and slightly caramelized, about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and fold in fresh basil, lemon juice, reserved sausage, and peppers.
- Plate the creamy orzo and top with the Cajun shrimp mixture. Serve immediately.
- Optional: Prepare homemade Cajun seasoning by combining smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture, ensuring they are deveined and cleaned properly before cooking.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning intensity by reducing or increasing cayenne pepper to suit personal spice tolerance.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting orzo with cauliflower rice or quinoa, maintaining the creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
- Prep all ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and prevent overcooking the delicate shrimp and corn.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg