Description
A rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender Cajun-spiced salmon in a smooth, creamy sauce with bold flavor and gentle heat.
Ingredients
-
Salmon fillets – 1 lb (450 g)
-
Cajun seasoning – 3½ teaspoons, divided
-
Paprika – ½ teaspoon
-
Garlic powder – ½ teaspoon
-
Olive oil – 2 tablespoons, divided
-
Unsalted butter – 3 tablespoons, divided
-
Fettuccine or penne pasta – 12 oz (340 g)
-
Garlic, minced – 4 cloves
-
Heavy cream – 1½ cups (360 ml)
-
Milk – ½ cup (120 ml)
-
Parmesan cheese, grated – ¾ cup (75 g)
-
Salt – ½ teaspoon
-
Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
-
Red pepper flakes – ¼ teaspoon (optional)
-
Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
-
Fresh parsley, chopped – ¼ cup
Instructions
-
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water and drain.
-
Season salmon with Cajun seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder.
-
Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet and cook salmon 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and flake.
-
In the same skillet, sauté garlic in olive oil and butter until fragrant.
-
Add cream, milk, remaining Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently.
-
Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth.
-
Add pasta and toss to coat, using pasta water if needed.
-
Fold in salmon and lemon juice. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
Adjust Cajun seasoning to control heat. For a lighter sauce, replace part of the cream with additional milk. Always reheat gently to keep the salmon tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes