If you're craving a restaurant-quality pasta dish that comes together in under 30 minutes, this Creamy Boursin Shrimp Pasta is it! Juicy Cajun-spiced shrimp, a rich and velvety sauce infused with Boursin cheese, and perfectly cooked penne—all in one pan!
If you love pasta dishes, you are also going to love my Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe, Creamy Pesto Pasta & my Creamy Sausage Pasta!!
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Ingredients
- Large Argentinian Shrimp
- Lemon
- Olive Oil
- Penne Pasta
- Unsalted Butter
- Yellow Onion
- Heavy Cream
- Boursin Cheese
- Salt & Pepper
See recipe card for quantities. (scroll all the way down!:)
Instructions for Boursin Pasta Recipe (VIDEO)
Fry the shrimp, set aside & deglaze the pan with some butter!
Sauté the onion, pour in the heavy cream & flour slurry!
Add the spices, shrimp back in along with the block of boursin cheese!
Mix the sauce with some pasta & enjoy!
1. Marinate the Shrimp
In a bowl, toss the shrimp with lemon juice, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Let them marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Cook the Shrimp
Heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Build the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoon butter and sauté the diced onion for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant. Add 1 teaspoon salt to help them break down.
- Pour in the heavy cream and remove the pan from heat for a moment. Stir in the flour slurry to prevent lumps.
- Return to low heat and add the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Stir until combined.
4. Add the Shrimp & Cheese
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir in chopped parsley and the Boursin cheese. Let it melt into the sauce, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend all the flavors.
5. Cook the Pasta
Meanwhile, cook the penne in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Rinse the pasta with cold water to maintain its texture.
6. Combine & Serve
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the pasta beautifully.
7. Garnish & Enjoy
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan, extra parsley, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Full recipe card is all the way at the end! (scroll all the way down:)
Substitutions
- Large Argentinian Shrimp → Regular large shrimp, prawns, or even chicken strips for a non-seafood option.
- Lemon Juice → Lime juice, white wine, or leave out entirely.
- Olive Oil → Avocado oil, melted butter, or vegetable oil.
- Unsalted Butter → Salted butter (reduce added salt), ghee, or margarine.
- Yellow Onion → White onion, shallots, or leeks.
- Heavy Cream → Half-and-half, evaporated milk, or a mix of whole milk and a bit of butter.
- Boursin Cheese → Garlic and herb cream cheese, goat cheese, or a mix of cream cheese with minced garlic and fresh herbs.
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Large Pan for making the Sauce
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce. For freezing, let the pasta cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from separating.
Top tips!
- Perfectly Cooked Shrimp – Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning and cook for just 1–2 minutes per side to keep them juicy and tender. Overcooking makes them rubbery.
- Smooth, Creamy Sauce – Remove the pan from heat before adding the flour slurry to prevent lumps, and stir constantly for a silky texture.
- Pasta Water is Key – Reserve pasta water to help thicken the sauce and create a restaurant-quality, glossy finish.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different cheese instead of Boursin?
Yes! Cream cheese or goat cheese works well as a substitute, but for the closest flavor, mix in some garlic and herbs to mimic Boursin’s rich, seasoned taste.
2. How do I keep the sauce from getting too thick?
If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of reserved pasta water or heavy cream while stirring over low heat to bring it back to a silky consistency.
3. Can I make this recipe less spicy?
Absolutely! Reduce the Cajun seasoning or swap it for Italian seasoning for a milder, herbaceous flavor without the heat.
Yes! Cream cheese or goat cheese works well as a substitute, but for the closest flavor, mix in some garlic and herbs to mimic Boursin’s rich, seasoned taste.
If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of reserved pasta water or heavy cream while stirring over low heat to bring it back to a silky consistency.
Absolutely! Reduce the Cajun seasoning or swap it for Italian seasoning for a milder, herbaceous flavor without the heat.
Related
Looking for other pasta recipes like this? Try these:
Easy Boursin Pasta Recipe (with Shrimp) VIRAL on tiktok
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a bowl, toss the shrimp with lemon juice, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Let them marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoon butter and sauté the diced onion for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant. Add 1 teaspoon salt to help them break down.
- Pour in the heavy cream and remove the pan from heat for a moment. Stir in the flour slurry to prevent lumps.
- Return to low heat and add the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Stir until combined.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir in chopped parsley and the Boursin cheese. Let it melt into the sauce, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend all the flavors.
- Meanwhile, cook the penne in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Rinse the pasta with cold water to maintain its texture.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the pasta beautifully.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan, extra parsley, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Nutrition
Notes
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Nancy Alvarez says
I made it tonight and it was Amazing.
LOVED it❣️
Thank you for sharing
Saša says
Really amazing recipe. Thank you for sharing. I actually did it a bit differently as I didn't have all the ingredients but is was very good anyway.
Melissa says
Great recipe, I added minced garlic, spinach and sundried tomatoes, it was delicious !!