Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Creamy Polenta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

A rich and spicy shrimp dish seasoned with Cajun spices paired with smooth, creamy polenta for a satisfying Southern-inspired meal. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs shrimp, peeled and deveined, Cajun seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup medium-grind polenta
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb peeled shrimp with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning until fully coated. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup medium-grind polenta, reduce heat to low, and cook for 25 minutes, stirring frequently until creamy and thickened.
3. Step 3: Stir 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper into the polenta. Keep warm on low heat.
4. Step 4: While polenta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque with a slight char.
5. Step 5: Serve shrimp over a bed of creamy polenta and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.