One-Pan Cajun Shrimp and Vegetable Sauté

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A spicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp sauté combined with colorful vegetables for a fast and flavorful Whole30-friendly dinner. This southern american-inspired whole30 (gluten free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, medium red bell pepper, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 medium sliced zucchini, and 1 small sliced yellow onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables start to soften.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning and 1 tsp sea salt over vegetables, stirring to coat evenly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, spreading in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring until shrimp edges turn pink.
  5. Step 5: Flip shrimp and cook for another 2 minutes until fully opaque and vegetables are tender-crisp.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Cajun Shrimp and Vegetable Sauté take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pan Cajun Shrimp and Vegetable Sauté?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shrimp, peeled and deveined from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Cajun Shrimp and Vegetable Sauté?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pan Cajun Shrimp and Vegetable Sauté for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is One-Pan Cajun Shrimp and Vegetable Sauté gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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