Prepare all ingredients before cooking to make the process smooth.

Toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning and olive oil until evenly coated.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add kosher salt.

Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Melt the butter, then arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer.

Cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side until pink and lightly browned. Remove from the skillet.

Reduce heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream, scraping any flavorful browned bits from the pan.

Let the cream gently simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

Stir in the Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.

Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back to the skillet and gently toss to coat in the sauce.

If needed, stir in reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving your Cajun Shrimp Pasta immediately.