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Creamy Cajun Shrimp & Cheese Tortellini

Here's how you make Creamy Cajun Shrimp & Cheese Tortellini
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  • Servings: 3-4
  • Prep: 10m
  • Cook: 15-20m
    • The following recipe serves 3-4 people.

Ingredients

The ingredients are:
  • 9 ounces fresh tortellini (cheese tortellini)
  • SHRIMP
  • 3/4 pound fresh shrimp (extra large, peeled and deveined tails removed)
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or blackening seasoning, less if you don't want it that spicy)
  • Olive oil, to saute
  • FOR SAUCE
  • 3/4 cup grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes, cut in half)
  • 1/2 cup whole kernel corn (I used frozen corn, thawed)
  • 1 onion, small (diced)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup bell peppers, diced (I used a mix of red, green, and yellow; I had a frozen mix)
  • 1/2 small jalapeno pepper (seeds and ribs removed, fine minced)
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or blackening seasoning more or less to taste)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons oil (olive oil)
  • Salt to taste
  • Garnish:
  • Cilantro or parsley, chopped
We recommend you get your ingredients ready before you start cooking. Once you're ready, here are the steps to making this delicious recipe

How to Make

  • Step 1: Shrimp ... Remove the shrimp from the refrigerator or freezer. If frozen, make sure to thaw over a colander, so they don't sit in water as they thaw. Pat dry using a paper towel, and season on both sides; and, let them rest so they are close to room temperature. You never want to cook with COLD food.

  • Step 2: Bring a saute pan to medium high to high heat, and add a little oil, 2 teaspoons should be plenty, depending on the pan. Add the shrimp, and saute quickly. When the shrimp begin to curl and start to turn pink ... they are done. DO NOT over cook them. They only take 3-4 minutes. They will go back in the sauce right before serving to warm up. Shrimp can and will get rubbery if over cooked. Remove from the pan to a small bowl, and cover to keep warm.

  • Step 3: Sauce ... In the same pan you cooked the shrimp in, add a bit more oil, you may have some left from the shrimp; and, that is fine. Add the onion, peppers (see the NOTE below), jalapeno, and garlic; and, saute on medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add the tomatoes, corn, and cajun/blackening seasoning, and cook another 3 minutes. Then, add the half and half, season with salt if necessary; and simmer, on medium low heat until the sauce reduces a bit, another 3-5 minutes. This is a good time, as the sauce simmers to start your tortellini.

  • Step 4: Note: I keep a bag of diced peppers in my freezer. It is a mix of green, red, yellow and orange; I don't blanch, prep, or anything. Simply dice and freeze. It is perfect to use in recipes such as this. But, you can really use any bell pepper you want.

  • Step 5: Tortellini ... Cook the tortellini according to package directions in plenty of salted water.

  • Step 6: Finish ... Once the tortellini is done; drain, and add to the creamy sauce. Add the shrimp as well; and, toss to combine. Add the cilantro or parsley, season if necessary; and, it's done.

  • Step 7: Serve and ENJOY! ... Delicious, creamy; and, pretty easy to prepare. Great to serve with a simple fruit salad. Crusty bread is also nice to serve with this.

We hope you enjoy this recipe!

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