Cajun Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner Easy and Flavorful Meal

Name: Cajun Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 2 cups baby potatoes, halved; 1 whole bell pepper (red or yellow), cut into strips; 1 whole red onion, sliced; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 to taste salt; 1 to taste pepper; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish); 1 whole lemon wedges (for serving)

by Harper on January 30, 2025

Looking for an easy way to spice up your dinner? This Cajun Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner is packed with flavor and simple to make. With just a few fresh ingredients, you can have a vibrant, tasty meal ready in no time. Whether you’re a busy parent or a cooking newbie, this recipe is perfect for you. Let’s dive into this fun, flavorful dish that’s sure to impress!

$- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 2 cups baby potatoes, halved - 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), cut into strips - 1 red onion, sliced - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning - 4 cloves garlic, minced - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) - Lemon wedges (for serving) When I make this dish, I love to start with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Large shrimp are the star here. They should be peeled and deveined for the best taste. Baby potatoes add a nice hearty texture. I often choose red or yellow bell peppers for their sweet flavor and color. Slicing a fresh red onion brings a touch of sweetness too. Next, I reach for olive oil. It helps the veggies roast well and adds a rich taste. Cajun seasoning is key. It adds a kick of flavor. I also use minced garlic for a nice aroma. Don’t forget salt and pepper to bring all the flavors together. For garnishing, I love adding fresh parsley. It gives a pop of color and freshness. Lemon wedges are a must for serving. They add a bright zing that pairs perfectly with the shrimp. {{ingredient_image_1}} - Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). - Combine halved baby potatoes, bell pepper strips, and red onion in a mixing bowl. - Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. - Spread mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet. - Roast vegetables for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. - Coat shrimp with remaining olive oil, garlic, and additional Cajun seasoning, then add to the baking sheet. - Return to oven for 8-10 minutes until shrimp is pink and cooked through. This method makes cooking easy and fun. You get a full meal on one pan. The colors are bright, and the smells are amazing. You will enjoy the taste too! - Use large shrimp for best results. - Remove shrimp when they turn pink to avoid overcooking. For this dish, large shrimp are key. They cook evenly and stay juicy. Watch them closely. When they turn pink, they are done. If you leave them in too long, they can get tough. You want that tender bite! - Try adding your favorite vegetables for more variety. - Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste for milder or spicier results. Feel free to mix in other veggies. Broccoli, asparagus, or corn can work great. Each adds a new flavor and texture. Also, taste your Cajun seasoning. You can make it mild for kids or spicy for adults. Don't be afraid to experiment! - Serve with lemon wedges for added freshness. - Garnish with parsley for a pop of color. Presentation matters! Serve the shrimp and veggies on a nice platter. Add lemon wedges for a fresh kick. A sprinkle of parsley brightens the dish and adds a nice touch. Your meal should look as good as it tastes! Pro Tips Fresh Shrimp is Best: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh shrimp instead of frozen. If using frozen, make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to swap in other vegetables like zucchini or asparagus to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Perfectly Cooked Shrimp: Keep an eye on the shrimp as they cook. They’re done when they turn pink and opaque, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Make it Spicy: If you love heat, add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the vegetable mixture for an extra kick. {{image_2}} You can easily swap baby potatoes for sweet potatoes or zucchini. Sweet potatoes add a nice sweetness. Zucchini cooks quickly and absorbs flavors well. Using different bell pepper colors can make your dish more eye-catching. Try red, yellow, and green for a vibrant mix. If you want a change, substitute shrimp with chicken, sausage, or tofu. Chicken thighs or breasts work well. Sausage adds a hearty flavor. Tofu is great for a plant-based option. Just remember to adjust cooking times based on the protein you choose. Chicken may take longer, while tofu cooks fast. To customize the spice, use homemade Cajun seasoning. This lets you control the heat and flavor. You can also mix in cayenne pepper if you want more heat. Start with a small amount and taste as you go. This way, you can find the perfect level for your meal. Store leftover Cajun shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps them fresh. Consume them within 2-3 days for best quality. You want to enjoy the flavors while they are still vibrant. Reheat shrimp and vegetables in the oven for even warming. This method keeps the shrimp tender. Avoid microwaving as it can make the shrimp rubbery. Preheat your oven to 350°F and warm for about 10 minutes. You can freeze the cooked meal in portions for quick meals later. This is great for busy days. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. This way, you maintain the taste and texture. You can use less Cajun seasoning or choose a milder blend. This lets you control the heat. If you prefer a hint of flavor without the burn, a mild blend works well. You can also add extra veggies to balance the spice. Yes, you can prep vegetables and shrimp in advance. Just store them separately until ready to cook. This makes meal prep easy and saves time. You can chop the veggies and season the shrimp a day before. You can pair this dish with rice, quinoa, or a fresh green salad. Each option adds a nice touch to your meal. Rice soaks up the flavors well, while a salad adds crunch. Quinoa is a healthy grain that boosts the meal's nutrition. This Cajun shrimp sheet pan meal is simple and full of flavor. You learned about the main ingredients, how to prep and cook them, and some tips to make it great. Remember, you can swap proteins or veggies for variety. This dish is perfect for busy days and easy to store. Enjoy your cooking and customize your meal to fit your taste. Happy cooking!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This sheet pan dinner comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Flavor Packed: The Cajun seasoning brings a delightful kick to the shrimp and vegetables, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor.
Minimal Cleanup: Cooking everything on a single sheet pan means less time spent washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal.
Customizable: You can easily swap out the vegetables or adjust the spice level to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

– 2 cups baby potatoes, halved

– 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), cut into strips

– 1 red onion, sliced

Seasoning and Oils

– 3 tablespoons olive oil

– 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish and Serving Suggestions

– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

– Lemon wedges (for serving)

When I make this dish, I love to start with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Large shrimp are the star here. They should be peeled and deveined for the best taste. Baby potatoes add a nice hearty texture. I often choose red or yellow bell peppers for their sweet flavor and color. Slicing a fresh red onion brings a touch of sweetness too.

Next, I reach for olive oil. It helps the veggies roast well and adds a rich taste. Cajun seasoning is key. It adds a kick of flavor. I also use minced garlic for a nice aroma. Don’t forget salt and pepper to bring all the flavors together.

For garnishing, I love adding fresh parsley. It gives a pop of color and freshness. Lemon wedges are a must for serving. They add a bright zing that pairs perfectly with the shrimp.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Oven and Vegetables

– Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

– Combine halved baby potatoes, bell pepper strips, and red onion in a mixing bowl.

Seasoning the Vegetables

– Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.

– Spread mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Roasting the Vegetables and Cooking the Shrimp

– Roast vegetables for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through.

– Coat shrimp with remaining olive oil, garlic, and additional Cajun seasoning, then add to the baking sheet.

– Return to oven for 8-10 minutes until shrimp is pink and cooked through.

This method makes cooking easy and fun. You get a full meal on one pan. The colors are bright, and the smells are amazing. You will enjoy the taste too!

Tips & Tricks

Perfectly Cooked Shrimp

– Use large shrimp for best results.

– Remove shrimp when they turn pink to avoid overcooking.

For this dish, large shrimp are key. They cook evenly and stay juicy. Watch them closely. When they turn pink, they are done. If you leave them in too long, they can get tough. You want that tender bite!

Enhancing Flavor

– Try adding your favorite vegetables for more variety.

– Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste for milder or spicier results.

Feel free to mix in other veggies. Broccoli, asparagus, or corn can work great. Each adds a new flavor and texture. Also, taste your Cajun seasoning. You can make it mild for kids or spicy for adults. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Plating and Presentation

– Serve with lemon wedges for added freshness.

– Garnish with parsley for a pop of color.

Presentation matters! Serve the shrimp and veggies on a nice platter. Add lemon wedges for a fresh kick. A sprinkle of parsley brightens the dish and adds a nice touch. Your meal should look as good as it tastes!

Pro Tips

Fresh Shrimp is Best: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh shrimp instead of frozen. If using frozen, make sure to thaw them completely before cooking.
Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to swap in other vegetables like zucchini or asparagus to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
Perfectly Cooked Shrimp: Keep an eye on the shrimp as they cook. They’re done when they turn pink and opaque, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
Make it Spicy: If you love heat, add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the vegetable mixture for an extra kick.

Variations

Vegetable Alternatives

You can easily swap baby potatoes for sweet potatoes or zucchini. Sweet potatoes add a nice sweetness. Zucchini cooks quickly and absorbs flavors well. Using different bell pepper colors can make your dish more eye-catching. Try red, yellow, and green for a vibrant mix.

Protein Options

If you want a change, substitute shrimp with chicken, sausage, or tofu. Chicken thighs or breasts work well. Sausage adds a hearty flavor. Tofu is great for a plant-based option. Just remember to adjust cooking times based on the protein you choose. Chicken may take longer, while tofu cooks fast.

Spice Level Adjustments

To customize the spice, use homemade Cajun seasoning. This lets you control the heat and flavor. You can also mix in cayenne pepper if you want more heat. Start with a small amount and taste as you go. This way, you can find the perfect level for your meal.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Cajun shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps them fresh. Consume them within 2-3 days for best quality. You want to enjoy the flavors while they are still vibrant.

Reheating Tips

Reheat shrimp and vegetables in the oven for even warming. This method keeps the shrimp tender. Avoid microwaving as it can make the shrimp rubbery. Preheat your oven to 350°F and warm for about 10 minutes.

Freezing Options

You can freeze the cooked meal in portions for quick meals later. This is great for busy days. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. This way, you maintain the taste and texture.

FAQs

How can I make Cajun shrimp less spicy?

You can use less Cajun seasoning or choose a milder blend. This lets you control the heat. If you prefer a hint of flavor without the burn, a mild blend works well. You can also add extra veggies to balance the spice.

Can I prepare this meal ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep vegetables and shrimp in advance. Just store them separately until ready to cook. This makes meal prep easy and saves time. You can chop the veggies and season the shrimp a day before.

What can I serve with Cajun shrimp sheet pan dinner?

You can pair this dish with rice, quinoa, or a fresh green salad. Each option adds a nice touch to your meal. Rice soaks up the flavors well, while a salad adds crunch. Quinoa is a healthy grain that boosts the meal’s nutrition.

This Cajun shrimp sheet pan meal is simple and full of flavor. You learned about the main ingredients, how to prep and cook them, and some tips to make it great. Remember, you can swap proteins or veggies for variety. This dish is perfect for busy days and easy to store. Enjoy your cooking and customize your meal to fit your taste. Happy cookin

Cajun Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner

A flavorful and easy sheet pan dinner featuring shrimp and roasted vegetables, seasoned with Cajun spices.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course Main Course

Cuisine Cajun

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cups baby potatoes, halved
1 whole bell pepper (red or yellow), cut into strips
1 whole red onion, sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 to taste salt
1 to taste pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
1 whole lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved baby potatoes, bell pepper strips, and sliced red onion.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the vegetables and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss until the vegetables are evenly coated.
Spread the vegetable mixture in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
While the vegetables are roasting, in the same mixing bowl, combine the shrimp with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, and an extra sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly.
After the vegetables have roasted for 15 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and push the vegetables to one side.
Add the seasoned shrimp to the empty side of the baking sheet and spread them out in a single layer.
Return the baking sheet to the oven and roast for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
Remove the pan from the oven and garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Serve with lemon wedges for added flavor.

Keyword Cajun, dinner, easy, sheet pan, shrimp