Cajun Shrimp Scampi with a spicy and rich cream sauce, served over healthy cauliflower rice. This is a quick and easy dinner recipe with just the right amount of kick!
We have started cooking again after about a year of buying preplanned, precooked meals from a meal service. We got bored with the service, and the kids hated it from the very beginning and almost never ate dinner. Family meals were a thing of the past.
Joe and I decided together, with input from the girls, to start cooking regular meals again. We broke out our old recipe binder, and one or the other of us has been making a daily meal.
We're still eating low carb and low calorie meals (maybe even lower calorie than with the meal service which was low calorie to begin with), and Allie who is 9 is eager to help in the kitchen. (Check out some tips for cooking with kids.) We need meals that are relatively easy to prepare so that she can actually make a big contribution. So far, she's browned meats, heated sauces, and peeled and chopped all manner of vegetables. She loves cooking, and that is a feeling I hope to foster as she grows older.
Because both Joe and I work full-time jobs, we need quick and easy meals for weeknight dinners. 15 minutes or less is our goal, and the cajun shrimp scampi below fits the bill. It's actually done in less than 15 minutes - about 5 minutes for the rice and about 5 for the shrimp and sauce if the shrimp is fresh or maybe 2-3 minutes longer if the shrimp is frozen. Easily less than 15 at any rate.
What you'll need to make the best cajun shrimp scampi with rice
EQUIPMENT
INGREDIENTS
See printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for measurements and nutritional information.
For cauliflower rice
- Plain cauliflower rice - You can substitute plain white rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice if you prefer.
- Butter - You can use salted or unsalted butter. It doesn't matter.
- Diced onion
- Fresh garlic
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Oregano
- Basil
For shrimp
- Jumbo shrimp
- Cajun seasoning
- Salt & black pepper
- Olive oil
- Fresh garlic
- Butter
- Dry white wine
- Fresh lemon juice
- Fresh lemon zest
How to Make 15 Minute Cajun Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice
- Prepare the cauliflower rice. (See note below for instructions on preparing traditional rice.) Heat a medium skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower rice, butter, onion, and garlic. Sauté 5 minutes, until onion is tender and rice is beginning to brown, then add paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, and basil. Toss well.
- Prepare the shrimp. Rub the raw shrimp with Cajun seasoning (make it yourself with this recipe to control the flavors), salt, and pepper.
- Cook the shrimp. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes until and just seared. Remove from pan.
- Prepare the sauce. Add the garlic to the now shrimp-less skillet and sauté for 1 minute. You should notice the aroma of the garlic. Stir in the butter, white wine, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer the butter sauce mixture until slightly thickened but do not boil.
- Add the shrimp to the sauce. When the sauce has thickened slightly, turn off the heat and add the shrimp back into the skillet. Simmer in the liquid until shrimp is opaque and no longer pink but not rubbery. Be careful not to overcook your shrimp.
- Serve. To serve the cajun shrimp, top a spoonful of the spiced cauliflower rice with 3-5 ounces of cajun shrimp, butter sauce, and a lemon wedge. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or green onions. If extra heat is desired, you can also sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
Can you serve shrimp scampi over pasta?
Yes, of course. You can use any cooked pasta in place of the rice, but spaghetti, fettuccini, and angel hair are especially nice. You can also use zucchini noodles if you're carb conscious like me.
Try these other shrimp recipes while you're here:
- Garlic Buffalo Shrimp
- Joe's Rich Buttered Old Bay Shrimp Recipe
- Traditional Old Bay Steamed Shrimp Recipe - Easy Peel & Eat Shrimp
- Cheesy Shrimp Pasta
- Cold Shrimp Avocado Cucumber Appetizer
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Burrito Bowls
- 15 Minute Cajun Shrimp Scampi With Cauliflower Rice
Recipe
15 Minute Cajun Shrimp Scampi With Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
For cauliflower rice
- 3 cups cauliflower rice plain
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic pressed with a garlic press
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon basil
For shrimp
- 1 pound shrimp
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt & pepper
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic pressed with a garlic press
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup white wine
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
Instructions
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add cauliflower rice, butter, onion, and garlic. Sauté 5 minutes, until onion is tender and rice is beginning to brown, then add paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, and basil. Toss well.
- Rub the raw shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil. When the oil is hot, add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes until just seared. Remove from pan.
- Add the garlic, sauté for 1 minute then stir in the butter. Pour white wine, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Turn off the heat and add the shrimp back into the sauce. Simmer until shrimp is opaque but not rubbery. Be careful not to overcook your shrimp.
- To serve, spoon the shrimp and sauce over the cauliflower rice.
Kadezha Horn says
My husband and I love this recipe! It's super easy, delicious and filling. Thank you