What the heck is this?
This is not your average pasta night. This is the date-night-in, sweatpants-optional, “I can’t believe I made this” kind of meal. We’re talking juicy, spice-rubbed steak, sizzling shrimp with a little kick, and the dreamiest, creamiest Alfredo sauce that hugs every noodle like it missed them. It’s bold. It’s decadent. It’s got surf, turf, and a serious attitude. And yes, it all comes together in under an hour — no reservations or overpriced steakhouse tabs required.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Big flavor — the Cajun spice brings serious heat (but not scary).
✔ Creamy Alfredo balances the spice with rich, velvety goodness.
✔ You only need one pan and one pot. Cleanup’s a breeze.
✔ Steak AND shrimp? Come on. That’s a power move.
✔ Great for showing off… or just treating yourself.
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Steak & Shrimp:
1 (12–16 oz) ribeye or NY strip steak, about 1″ thick
1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp Cajun or blackening seasoning (plus more for shrimp)
Salt + pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
For the Alfredo Sauce:
3 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, but recommended)
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt + black pepper to taste
For the Pasta:
12 oz fettuccine or linguine
Salted water for boiling
Reserved pasta water (about 1/2 cup, just in case)
For Finishing:
Chopped parsley
Extra parmesan
Lemon wedges (trust me)
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil a big pot of salted water and cook your fettuccine until just al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: Season and Sear the Steak
Pat your steak dry and season generously on both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak 3–4 minutes per side for medium rare (adjust based on thickness). Let it rest on a cutting board while you make everything else.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
In the same pan (hello, flavor!), toss in the shrimp with a bit more Cajun seasoning. Sear for about 1–2 minutes per side until just pink and slightly crisped. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Make That Sauce
Lower the heat to medium. Add 3 tbsp butter to the same skillet and sauté the garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute). Pour in the heavy cream and add red pepper flakes. Let it simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, then stir in the parmesan until smooth. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. If it gets too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce and coat every strand. Slice the steak against the grain. Add shrimp and steak on top or gently fold them in. Let it all warm through for a minute or two.
Step 6: Serve Like a Boss
Plate it up, sprinkle with parsley, more parm, and a squeeze of lemon if you like a little zing. Light a candle or just turn on Netflix — either way, this is a moment.
Serving Suggestions
Serve it with a simple Caesar salad or garlic bread if you’re extra hungry.
A glass of white wine or sparkling water with lemon hits perfectly.
Leftovers? Good luck having any.
Switch It Up
Use chicken or scallops if shrimp’s not your thing.
Make it smoky: add a pinch of smoked paprika to your seasoning.
Swap pasta for zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to lighten it up.
No cream? Use half-and-half — just simmer it a bit longer.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can season and prep the steak/shrimp the day before.
The Alfredo sauce reheats best gently — low and slow with a splash of milk.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?
A: You can, but raw shrimp gets that perfect sear and absorbs the spices better.
Q: What if I don’t have Cajun seasoning?
A: Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cayenne, and a little salt and pepper. Boom — instant homemade version.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Not easily, but you could use plant-based butter and cream plus vegan parm. Not quite the same, but it’ll still slap.
Q: What’s the best steak for this?
A: Ribeye brings the most flavor, but NY strip or sirloin works great too.
Spicy Blackened Steak & Shrimp Alfredo: Surf, Turf, and Sass in One Pan
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This is not your average pasta night. This is the date-night-in, sweatpants-optional, “I can’t believe I made this” kind of meal. We’re talking juicy, spice-rubbed steak, sizzling shrimp with a little kick, and the dreamiest, creamiest Alfredo sauce that hugs every noodle like it missed them. It’s bold. It’s decadent. It’s got surf, turf, and a serious attitude. And yes, it all comes together in under an hour — no reservations or overpriced steakhouse tabs required.
Ingredients
For the Steak & Shrimp:
1 (12–16 oz) ribeye or NY strip steak, about 1″ thick
1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp Cajun or blackening seasoning (plus more for shrimp)
Salt + pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
For the Alfredo Sauce:
3 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, but recommended)
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt + black pepper to taste
For the Pasta:
12 oz fettuccine or linguine
Salted water for boiling
Reserved pasta water (about 1/2 cup, just in case)
For Finishing:
Chopped parsley
Extra parmesan
Lemon wedges (trust me)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil a big pot of salted water and cook your fettuccine until just al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: Season and Sear the Steak
Pat your steak dry and season generously on both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear steak 3–4 minutes per side for medium rare (adjust based on thickness). Let it rest on a cutting board while you make everything else.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
In the same pan (hello, flavor!), toss in the shrimp with a bit more Cajun seasoning. Sear for about 1–2 minutes per side until just pink and slightly crisped. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Make That Sauce
Lower the heat to medium. Add 3 tbsp butter to the same skillet and sauté the garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute). Pour in the heavy cream and add red pepper flakes. Let it simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, then stir in the parmesan until smooth. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. If it gets too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce and coat every strand. Slice the steak against the grain. Add shrimp and steak on top or gently fold them in. Let it all warm through for a minute or two.
Step 6: Serve Like a Boss
Plate it up, sprinkle with parsley, more parm, and a squeeze of lemon if you like a little zing. Light a candle or just turn on Netflix — either way, this is a moment.
Notes
Serve it with a simple Caesar salad or garlic bread if you’re extra hungry.
A glass of white wine or sparkling water with lemon hits perfectly.
Leftovers? Good luck having any.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~720 kcal per serving
- Fat: ~42g
- Carbohydrates: ~45g
- Protein: ~40g