Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Creole Tomato Sauce

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

Tender shrimp simmered in a rich, spicy Creole tomato and bell pepper sauce served over steamed rice, capturing classic Mardi Gras flavors. This creole-inspired mardi gras ready in about 40 minutes pairs large shrimp peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, yellow onion diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Creole cuisine 380 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced celery, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until deepened in color. Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the mixture, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to form a roux.
  3. Step 3: Slowly whisk in 1 cup chicken broth to prevent lumps, then add 1 cup diced canned tomatoes, 2 tsp Creole seasoning, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the sauce and cook for 4-5 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
  5. Step 5: Serve the shrimp étouffée over 4 cups cooked white rice, garnished with 2 tbsp chopped green onions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Creole Tomato Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Creole Tomato Sauce?

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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Creole Tomato Sauce?

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 Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Creole Tomato Sauce 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.

What goes well with Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Creole Tomato Sauce?

Creole mardi gras like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes