Sizzling Shrimp Fajita Pasta Skillet Recipe for Family Nights

Sizzling flavors dance across your skillet as this shrimp fajita pasta skillet recipe brings restaurant-quality magic right to your kitchen.

Tender shrimp and perfectly seasoned vegetables mingle with al dente pasta in a single pan.

Bold spices create an irresistible aroma that fills every corner of your home.

Weeknight dinner just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing meal.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of zesty southwestern flair and comforting pasta goodness.

The recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup, making it a smart choice for busy home cooks.

One skillet stands between you and a spectacular dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Creamy Shrimp Fajita Pasta Skillet

• Diced Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Adds smoky depth and vibrant color with rich, caramelized tomato essence that elevates the entire dish's complexity.
• Chicken Broth: Provides subtle savory undertones and helps create a silky, balanced sauce with robust background notes.

• Cream Cheese, Heavy Cream, Cheddar Cheese: Creates luxurious, velvety texture that transforms the pasta into a decadent comfort meal with tangy and rich dairy dimensions.

• Cilantro: Introduces bright, herbal freshness that cuts through the richness and adds a pop of green color with zesty herbaceous notes.

Tools to Sauté Shrimp and Toss Pasta Smoothly

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking and combining all ingredients with even heat distribution.
• Cutting board: Perfect for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing peppers and mincing cilantro.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and tossing pasta and shrimp.
• Colander: Useful for draining cooked pasta.
• Measuring cups: Helps ensure accurate ingredient proportions.

Step-by-Step for a Creamy Fajita-Style Pasta Dish

• Pasta Base

Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside.

• Pepper Preparation

Slice colorful bell peppers into thin, elegant strips that will add vibrant crunch to the dish.

• Shrimp Sizzle

Heat skillet with olive oil and quickly cook shrimp until they turn pink and develop a golden exterior.

• Sauce Creation

Whisk together cream, Mexican-inspired spices, and a splash of lime juice to create a rich, tangy coating.

• Flavor Fusion

Combine pasta, succulent shrimp, and crisp peppers in the skillet, allowing each ingredient to mingle and absorb the creamy sauce.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the skillet, adding a bright burst of herbal freshness that elevates the entire dish.

• Serving

Plate the fajita pasta immediately while steaming hot, inviting everyone to enjoy this delightful culinary adventure.

Tips to Dial the Creaminess or Spice Just Right

• Sprinkle extra chili powder or smoked paprika into the sauce for a deeper, spicier kick that'll wake up your taste buds.
• Prep all ingredients ahead of time and store separately in the refrigerator, combining just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
• Replace shrimp with grilled chicken, sliced steak, or even plant-based protein like tofu for a totally different meal that still packs incredible flavor.
• Experiment with seasonal vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or asparagus to add more nutrition and change up the classic pepper combination.
• Use coconut milk or cashew cream instead of traditional cream to create a rich, creamy sauce that's perfect for lactose-intolerant food lovers.

Serving This Skillet Meal Hot and Colorful

• Fiesta Plate Presentation: Arrange the colorful pasta on a large platter, highlighting the vibrant peppers and succulent shrimp for an eye-catching meal that screams Mexican-Italian fusion.
• Toppings Extravaganza: Sprinkle extra cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, or sliced green onions on top to add freshness and create layers of texture that make each bite exciting.
• Side Companion Delight: Pair the pasta with warm flour tortillas, crisp garlic bread, or a zesty side salad to complement the creamy, rich flavors of the main dish and balance the meal perfectly.
• Quick Lunch Transformation: Pack leftovers in a portable container for a delicious work or school lunch that tastes just as amazing when reheated, ensuring no flavorful bite goes to waste.

How to Store and Enjoy Shrimp Pasta on Repeat

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor integrity.
• Freshness Window: Consume refrigerated portions within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture, ensuring shrimp remains safe and delicious.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Gently warm individual servings in a skillet with a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore sauce's creamy consistency and prevent dryness.
• Freezing Guidelines: Though not ideal, you can freeze this dish for up to 1 month in sealed freezer-safe containers, but expect slight texture changes when thawing and reheating.

Creamy Shrimp Fajita Pasta Skillet Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Sizzling jalapeños and zesty lime elevate this shrimp fajita pasta skillet recipe from simple to spectacular. Succulent shrimp, bell peppers, and al dente pasta combine for a Mexican-inspired meal you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (0.45 kg) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) heavy cream
• 1 can (14 oz/400 g) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) chicken broth
• Chopped cilantro (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepping the Foundation: Ignite a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating an ideal environment for a culinary symphony of pasta, seafood, and vibrant vegetables.
2. Crafting the Sauce: Whisk cream cheese, heavy cream, and selected seasonings into a luxurious, velvety emulsion that will coat every ingredient with intense flavor complexity.
3. Pasta Integration: Tenderly fold cooked pasta into the creamy mixture, ensuring each strand becomes thoroughly embraced by the silky sauce, transforming the dish into a cohesive masterpiece.
4. Protein and Vegetable Harmony: Elegantly introduce sautéed bell peppers and succulent shrimp into the skillet, gently stirring to create a balanced distribution of textures and colors.
5. Flavor Melding: Let the entire composition simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the ingredients to intermingle and the shrimp to achieve perfect delicate doneness while absorbing the surrounding flavors.
6. Final Flourish: Delicately scatter freshly chopped cilantro across the surface, imparting a vibrant herbaceous accent and visual appeal that elevates the dish’s sensory experience.

Notes

• Prevent Shrimp Overcooking: Watch carefully during the 2-3 minute simmer to maintain tender, juicy shrimp without turning rubbery or tough.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust cream and cream cheese ratio to achieve desired thickness, adding more liquid if sauce becomes too dense or reducing if too thin.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let ingredients rest briefly after cooking to allow seasonings and spices to fully penetrate pasta, shrimp, and vegetables.
• Quick Preparation Strategy: Pre-chop vegetables and measure ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and ensure smooth, efficient meal assembly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg