What’s your favorite comfort food? Mine, hands down, is pasta. Whether creamy, cheesy, or saucy–it can be made a zillion different ways of perfect and I love it all.
Earlier this week, I was needing some comfort food in my life! We’ve been trying so hard to eat healthier and cleaner most days, but without being so strict that we can’t enjoy a cheat every now and then. I will never be that person that gives up everything I love just to drop a pound. YOLO people! Though, the important thing for me is not letting that every now and then cheat become a regular eating pattern again. But, if I can make said cheat meal just a little bit healthier, by let’s say, adding more protein….I’m all about it!
After watching my girl Jessie James Decker on The Chew, I knew I had to try her recipe for Cajun Shrimp Pasta. Well actually, her mom’s recipe, but it’s one that’s shared in their family. Combining pasta, shrimp, veggies, in a cheesy, spicy, cream sauce just speaks my food love language.
I made my own version of this pasta using a higher protein pasta and it’s definitely one worth trying!
This is the magic ingredient, Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning! I found mine at Walmart, but Target has it too.
Ingredients
2 tbsp of butter
1 tbsp of evoo
1/2 onion, diced
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch of asparagus, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
1 1/2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
1 lb large shrimp, raw/peeled
1 box of protein thin spaghetti
1 can of Rotel, slightly drained
1/2 cup half and half
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt, pepper, and Tony’s Seasoning
Directions
- Melt butter and evoo on medium heat. Add onion and saute until cooked.
- Add garlic, asparagus, and mushrooms. Season with s&p and Tony’s. Saute for 5 minutes.
- Cook pasta al dente.
- Add shrimp and cook through. Season again with Tony’s.
- Turn heat to low. Add Rotel, half and half, and parmesan cheese. Simmer (do not boil or cream will separate) and stir for about 5 minutes, adding more Tony’s to taste. (You can make this as spicy as you want! We like some heat so we were generous with the Tony’s.)
- Toss pasta in sauce. Top with more parmesan cheese.
I’m telling y’all….this recipe is delicious and so quick and easy to throw together! Serve with some crusty bread, a green salad, and you are all set. Princess cup is an extra touch, courtesy of my daughter.
My quick thoughts on the protein pasta….it tasted just like regular pasta! Unlike whole wheat pasta that clearly has a different taste and consistency, I didn’t notice any change with the protein pasta and it has 17 grams per serving! Makes me feel a little better about that cheat meal. 😉 Oh, and my husbands loved it too!
If you are wanting to wine it up, I suggest pairing this meal with a light bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris to compliment the spiciness of the dish.
Enjoy!
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