Description
Spicy Cajun salmon pasta brings Louisiana’s bold flavors to your dinner table with a perfect blend of creamy sauce and zesty seasonings. Creamy, rich textures and fiery Cajun spices create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 3 salmon fillets
- 1 cup spinach
Optional Protein Add-on:
- 1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti noodles
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 white onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish:
- Shaved or shredded Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped basil
- Chopped flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in a large pot of salted water, cooking until perfectly tender and al dente at around 8-10 minutes. Carefully set aside a small portion of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Season salmon fillets generously with Cajun spice blend, ensuring full coverage of the fish’s surface. Heat a skillet with butter and olive oil over medium-high heat, then sear salmon for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through, creating a delectable crispy exterior.
- Remove salmon from skillet, keeping the pan’s flavorful remnants. Reduce heat and sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and aromatic, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Create a creamy sauce by introducing heavy cream, broth, additional Cajun seasoning, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, and basil into the skillet. Allow mixture to gently simmer, developing rich, complex flavors.
- Incorporate grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until smoothly melted. Add fresh spinach leaves, which will quickly wilt from the sauce’s residual heat.
- Delicately break salmon into bite-sized pieces directly in the sauce, ensuring even distribution of fish throughout the dish.
- Introduce cooked pasta into the skillet, carefully tossing to coat each strand with the luxurious sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Plate immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan and fresh herb sprinkles for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning intensity based on personal spice tolerance, using less for milder palates or more for fiery flavor lovers.
- Swap salmon with other proteins like shrimp, chicken, or tofu to create versatile meal variations that suit different dietary preferences.
- Always save a cup of starchy pasta water to rescue the sauce if it becomes too thick, ensuring a silky, perfectly coated pasta experience.
- Prepare the sauce and salmon separately, storing them individually in the refrigerator, then quickly reheat and combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg