I don’t know if you have noticed, but there has been a “Feta Pasta” craze on several social media platforms for the last year or so. I finally decided to see what all of the commotion was about, adding my own twist to the dish: Cajun.
Cajun has always been one of my favorite styles of cuisine, and I was excited to incorporate that into this dish. It did not disappoint! I believe a true Cajun in Louisiana trying my Feta Pasta recipe would shout “Boudin!” (which means delicious).
Here is the recipe for a homemade Cajun Seasoning I found at https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/cajun-seasoning/.
Combine all of the below ingredients in a bowl.
- 3 tablespoons Paprika
- 2 tablespoons fine kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon cayenne
- 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
The recipe begins by combining cherry tomatoes, shallot, garlic, feta cheese, olive oil, salt and red pepper flakes in a medium-sized casserole dish.
You wouldn’t think feta cheese goes well in a pasta sauce, but just trust the process! You won’t be disappointed. 🙂
Cook Cajun-spiced shrimp in a large skillet while the sauce is cooking in the oven. Only cook the shrimp until no longer translucent. There is a fine line between done and overcooked with shrimp (and seafood in general).
You will also cook the pasta noodles at this time. Drain them and set aside until the sauce is finished.
The sauce will take around 45 minutes in the oven at 400 degrees. This is what the everything should look like coming out of the oven: feta cheese golden on top and tomatoes bursting.
As I have said in posts before: Browning = FLAVOR!
After allowing the future sauce to cool slightly, you will add the fresh herbs and lemon zest (if using). Mix this all together with a fork first, breaking up the cheese and tomatoes.
Once everyone has gotten a chance to get to know each other, it’s time to blend! Other feta pasta recipes typically won’t do this step, but I think a thick sauce goes better in pasta, rather than chunky ingredients, not allowing each bite to be the same experience.
All that is left to do is add the cooked shrimp AND pasta noodles, and serve!
Get ready for a FLAVOR EXPLOSION!
Click on the link below to watch me make this recipe step-by-step!
@chefjonnycordonokc Jumped on the “Feta Pasta” train this week, but with a couple of unique twists I think you will love! The Cajun Shrimp, along with fresh herbs and blending the sauce, really took this over the top. Give it a try! #personalchef #easyrecipe #cajun #shrimp #cheflife #dinnerideas #familyrecipe ♬ Storytelling - Adriel
Cajun Baked Feta Pasta
Equipment
- 1 hand blender or regular blender
- 1 large nonstick skillet
- 1 medium casserole dish
- 1 chef knife
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 pints Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 Shallot quartered
- 3 cloves Garlic smashed
- Sea Salt to taste
- 1 pinch Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 8 oz Feta Cheese block
- 1 tbsp Fresh Oregano finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Fresh Basil Finely Chopped
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest optional
- 2 tbsp Avocado Oil
- 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning store-bought, see post for homemade
- 1 lb Shrimp peeled, deveined, tails off
- 10 oz Cavatappi dry
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Add tomatoes, shallot, garlic, olive oil, salt and red pepper flakes to a medium casserole dish. Toss to combine.
- Place block of feta cheese in middle of dish. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until tomatoes are bursting and feta is golden on top.
- While cheese sauce is baking, prep shrimp. After peeled, deveined, and thoroughly dried with paper towels, sprinkle the cajun seasoning on both sides of shrimp.
- In large nonstick skillet, heat avocado oil to medium heat. Once shimmering, cook shrimp until no longer translucent on both sides, or 2-3 minutes per side. Once cooked through, set aside on plate.
- For the pasta, cook according to package directions. Drain pasta and set aside until ready for use.
- Once sauce is finished baking, add oregano, lemon zest, and basil. Stir until well combined.
- Using hand blender, blend sauce to desired smoothness. This step is optional, but mixes better in the pasta.
- Add cooked shrimp and pasta. Mix until well combined.
- Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Notes
- For additional veggies, you could pair a side salad with this pasta.
- You could also add asparagus, broccoli, and/or spinach to this pasta. That would make it more nutritious, while still delicious. 🙂