Cajun cuisine is known for its bold flavors, influenced by French, African, and Native American cooking styles. And who better to teach us how to make an authentic Cajun dish than the famous Cajun Ninja himself?
Cajun Ninja (real name: Darnell Ferguson) is a self-taught chef and YouTube personality who has gained a massive following for his unique and creative Cajun-inspired dishes.
He brings a fun and energetic approach to cooking, making it accessible for anyone to try out his delicious recipes at home. And today, we’ll be learning how to make one of his signature dishes – Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine.
Follow along as we walk you through the steps to make this mouth-watering meal for yourself! Now let’s dive into the ingredients and directions for this delicious dish.
What is Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine?
Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine is a creamy and spicy pasta dish that combines tender shrimp, sautéed vegetables, and a rich and velvety sauce made with cream of chicken soup, Velveeta cheese, and Rotel tomatoes.
It’s a classic Cajun dish that has been given the signature twist of the Cajun Ninja. This dish is perfect for anyone who loves bold and spicy flavors, and it’s also a great way to introduce yourself to Cajun cuisine if you’ve never tried it before.
Plus, with its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, it’s a dish that anyone can make at home for a delicious dinner or impressive meal for guests.
Why You’ll Love this Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine?
- Bold and Spicy Flavors: If you love bold and spicy flavors, then this dish is perfect for you. The Cajun Ninja adds his signature twist to this classic Cajun dish, making it a flavorful and delicious experience.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, anyone can make this dish at home. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to Cajun cuisine or impress your guests with a unique and tasty meal.
- Versatile: This dish is not only delicious as it is, but you can also customize the heat level and add any additional ingredients you prefer. It’s adaptable to your taste buds and dietary restrictions.
- Family Favorite: With its creamy texture, bold flavors, and hearty ingredients, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or a special occasion meal.
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Ingredients
- Garlic Salt: This adds a savory kick of garlic flavor to the dish.
- Shrimp: Make sure to buy peeled and deveined shrimp for convenience. You can also use fresh or frozen shrimp, just make sure to thaw them before cooking.
- Cream of Chicken: This soup adds a creamy and rich texture to the sauce.
- Pint: This is a measure of volume, equivalent to 16 ounces or 2 cups. You can use any type of milk, such as whole, 2%, or even almond milk.
- Uncooked Fettuccine Noodles: These flat noodles are perfect for soaking up all the delicious flavors in this dish.
- Chicken Broth: This adds extra flavor to the sauce and helps thin out the consistency.
- Liquid Crab Boil: A key ingredient in traditional Cajun cuisine, this adds a spicy and flavorful kick to the dish. You can find it in the seafood section of your grocery store.
- Celery: Adds a subtle crunch and flavor to the dish.
- Velveeta Jalapeno Cheese: This creamy and spicy cheese is perfect for adding a little heat to this dish. If you can’t find it, you can substitute it with regular Velveeta cheese.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the dish.
- Mild Rotel Tomatoes And Green Chilies: This adds a burst of flavor and heat. You can use any brand or heat level that you prefer.
- Green Bell Pepper: Another classic ingredient in Cajun cuisine, this adds a fresh and slightly sweet flavor to balance out the spiciness.
- Chopped Garlic: For added depth of flavor and aroma.
- White Onion: Adds a sweet and savory element to the sauce. You can also use yellow or red onion if that’s what you have on hand.
Directions
Step 1
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in chopped onion, green pepper, celery, garlic, and shrimp. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and the shrimp are pink.
Step 3
Stir in cream of chicken soup, pint, chicken broth, liquid crab boil, and garlic salt. Mix until well combined.
Step 4
Add in Velveeta cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is smooth.
Step 5
Mix in Rotel tomatoes and green chilies and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 6
Add in the cooked fettuccine noodles and mix until everything is well coated with the sauce.
Step 7
Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine! You can also garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add more liquid crab boil or use hot Rotel tomatoes and green chilies.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with some additional chicken broth.
- You can also add any other vegetables or protein you prefer, such as mushrooms, sausage, or chicken.
- To reheat, add a splash of chicken broth to help loosen up the sauce and heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Storage Tips
Here are some tips for storing and reheating your Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine:
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth if needed to help loosen up the sauce.
Nutrition Information
Serving Suggestions
Here are some serving suggestions to make your Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine even more delicious:
- Serve with a side of garlic bread or crusty French bread for dipping in the creamy sauce.
- Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Top with some grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and texture.
- Enjoy with a glass of white wine or your favorite Cajun beer for the perfect combination of flavors.
What other substitute can I use for Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine?
Here are some possible substitutes for this dish:
- If you can’t find liquid crab boiling, you can substitute it with a Cajun seasoning blend or hot sauce to add heat and flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, you can omit the shrimp and replace it with your favorite protein source, such as tofu or chickpeas. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- If you’re not a fan of Velveeta cheese, you can use shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese for a similar creamy and spicy effect.
- Instead of fettuccine noodles, you can use any type of pasta that you prefer, such as penne or linguine. You can also make it gluten-free by using rice or quinoa noodles.
- If you don’t have Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, you can use diced tomatoes and add in some additional spices for heat, such as cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- For a healthier option, you can substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade roux made from equal parts flour and oil, combined with chicken broth and milk. This will thicken the sauce without using canned soup.
Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine Recipe
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 2- pound Shrimp Peeled And Deveined
- 10- ounce Cream of Chicken
- 16 ounce Pint
- 24- ounce Uncooked Fettuccine Noodles
- 14- ounce Chicken Broth
- 1 tablespoon Liquid Crab Boil
- 3 Sticks Celery
- 16- ounce Velveeta Jalapeno Cheese
- 2 Stick Salted Butter
- 10 ounce Mild Rotel Tomatoes And Green Chilies
- 1 Green Bell Pepper Chopped
- 2 teaspoons Chopped Garlic
- 1 White Onion Chopped
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Then, carefully add in the fettuccine noodles and cook them according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside for later use.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat up a large skillet over medium heat and melt the salted butter until it is sizzling and fragrant. Next, add in the chopped onions, green bell pepper, celery, garlic, and succulent shrimp to the skillet. Cook these ingredients for approximately 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and the shrimp have turned a beautiful pink hue.
- Once the veggies have been cooked to perfection, add in the rich and creamy cream of chicken soup, a pint of your preferred milk, savory chicken broth, spicy liquid crab boil, and a pinch of garlic salt to the skillet. Give all these ingredients a good stir until they are well combined.
- Next, carefully mix in the velvety smooth Velveeta jalapeno cheese until it is fully melted and the sauce has achieved a perfectly smooth consistency.
- To give this dish an extra burst of flavor, add the tangy Rotel tomatoes and spicy green chilies to the skillet. Let these ingredients simmer together for approximately 10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together into one deliciously harmonious sauce.
- Once the sauce has had time to develop its flavors, add in the cooked fettuccine noodles to the skillet and mix everything together until all the noodles are evenly coated with the velvety sauce.
- Finally, serve your delectable Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine hot and garnish it with some fresh chopped parsley or green onions for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add more liquid crab boil or use hot Rotel tomatoes and green chilies.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with some additional chicken broth.
- You can also add any other vegetables or protein you prefer, such as mushrooms, sausage, or chicken.
- To reheat, add a splash of chicken broth to help loosen up the sauce and heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones?
While fresh vegetables are preferred for this dish, you can use frozen vegetables if that’s what you have on hand. Just make sure to thaw them before cooking and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Is this dish gluten-free?
This dish is not gluten-free as it contains fettuccine noodles. However, you can make it gluten-free by using rice or quinoa noodles instead.
How spicy is this dish?
The spiciness level can be adjusted based on your preference by adding more or less liquid crab boil and using hot or mild Rotel tomatoes and green chilies.
Conclusion
In this article, we shared a delicious recipe for Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine and provided tips for storing, reheating, and serving this dish. We also gave some possible substitutions in case certain ingredients are not available or if you have dietary restrictions.
Hopefully, you now have all the information you need to make this flavorful and spicy Cajun dish at home. Give it a try and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills!
So next time you’re craving Cajun cuisine, skip the takeout and make this delicious dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. Please share this article with others who may enjoy this recipe. Thank you for reading our article on Cajun Ninja Shrimp Fettuccine!
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.