New Orleans-Style Shrimp Creole with Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce

A unique recipe, this New Orleans-style Shrimp Creole features succulent shrimp drenched in a Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce made with sour cream, tomato paste, and Creole or Cajun seasoning. Mushrooms, peppers, and tomatoes round out this mouth-watering Louisanna inspired entree. It’s delicious in an unforgettable way!

A quick and easy recipe, you can have this creamy shrimp creole on the table in twenty minutes or less, and it is a great one-pan meal. Because it’s so quick, it’s perfect for weeknight family dinners, and it’s also fancy and flavorful enough to serve to guests. Every time I do it, I get rave reviews!

Special thanks to my friend Cheryl Richards who shared this recipe with me several years ago so I could share it with you.

Here is what you will need:

• Shrimp – are the guest of honor at this party, and these tasty crustaceans, with their briny, sweet taste, deserve top billing.
• Sliced mushrooms – are the new kid on the block. They are not a traditional ingredient in classic shrimp creole, but their earthy savoriness adds a welcome taste and texture.
• Garlic – makes most dishes taste better, and this New Orleans-style favorite is no exception.
• Green bell pepper & onion – are classic ingredients in Louisanna shrimp creole.
• Butter – is used to saute the vegetables and adds a rich flavor to this dish.
• Sour cream – an unusual ingredient in classic shrimp creole, it forms the base in the creamy Cajun Shrimp Cream Sauce.
• Creole or Cajun seasoning blend – combines with sour cream to celebrate the food and culture of Louisanna in the spicy Cajun Shrimp Cream Sauce.
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper – (not-pictured) enhance all of the flavors of this dish and bring it all home.
• Plum tomatoes – sometimes called Roma tomatoes, add a pop of color, texture, and tomato goodness.
• Tomato paste – intensifies the tomatoey flavor and adds richness.

How to make this recipe:  

1. Add butter to a large skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, onion, garlic, and green pepper when the butter melts. Saute for approximately five to seven minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
2. Lightly season with salt and ground black pepper.

3. Add the shrimp and tomatoes and cook for three minutes, or until the shrimp begin to change from translucent to opaque and are partially cooked. 

4. Add the sour cream, tomato paste, and Creole or Cajun seasoning blend. Mix well and continue to cook for approximately two to three minutes more, or until the mixture is thoroughly combined and bubbly. 

5. Remove from the heat and serve over rice. Optional, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Frequently asked questions:

Sharon’s tips:

• I usually serve this shrimp creole over purchased boil-in-bag basmati white rice. It cooks in ten minutes and the rice grains stay fluffy and don’t get gummy. Feel free to make what ever kind of rice your family likes. It is also delicious served over grits, pasta or polenta.
• If you don’t have plum tomatoes, you can substitute any type of tomato. Other tomatoes generally have more juice than plum or Roma tomatoes. If you do substitute regular tomatoes, try to squeeze out any excess juice and seeds before chopping. 
• In a pinch, you can substitute Old Bay Seasonings plus one teaspoon of cayenne pepper for the Creole/Cajun seasonings.
• This recipe calls for two tablespoons of tomato paste.  I like to purchase it in a tube instead of a can so I can measure out what I need and don’t end up with a can of leftover tomato paste. 
• If your shrimp are larger or smaller than large, add 30 seconds or delete 30 seconds to the cook times. 

More shrimp recipes:

If you are a shrimp lover like me, be sure to check out these popular recipes on my blog: Crispy Pan-Fried Shrimp, Blackened Shrimp, Buffalo Shrimp, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Shrimp Burgers with Basil Pesto Aioli, Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Blue Cheese, Creole Shrimp Toast, and Hot and Cheesy Shrimp Scampi Dip. 

Shrimp creole is also a great dish to serve during Mardi Gras. Add a Hurricane Cocktail, and you will be transported to the French Quarter!

★ If you make this recipe, please consider rating it and leaving a comment. I’d love to know how you liked it!

Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones. I hope you’ll come back soon!

*This post was originally published March 1, 2016, and republished on January 24, 2022, with new images, the addition of a FAQ section, and a change to the original title, which was Creamy Shrimp Creole. The original recipe was modified to add additional shrimp, tomatoes and mushrooms.