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Creamy Cajun Salmon Pasta

Creamy Cajun Salmon Pasta
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Creamy Cajun Salmon Pasta combines bold, smoky Cajun spices with tender, flaky salmon and a rich, velvety cream sauce over fettuccine or linguine. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan dish is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests with its indulgent flavor and comforting texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

  • 4 salmon fillets (fresh or thawed, skin removed)

Spices & Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Pasta

  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta

Dairy & Oils

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 small onion (finely diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Prep and Season the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Generously season both sides with Cajun seasoning and set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine or linguine until just al dente, following package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water for later use.
  3. Sauté Aromatics and Cook Salmon: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant. Push aromatics to the side, then add the seasoned salmon fillets skin-side down. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the salmon is cooked through and slightly crisp on the edges. Remove salmon from the pan and set aside, leaving the flavorful bits in the skillet.
  4. Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the same skillet, stirring to incorporate the browned bits. Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer gently over medium-low heat until it thickens to a luscious consistency, stirring occasionally.
  5. Combine Pasta and Salmon: Add the drained pasta directly into the creamy sauce, tossing well to coat every strand. Flake the cooked salmon into large chunks and gently fold into the pasta. Adjust the sauce thickness by adding reserved pasta water as needed. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top before serving.

Notes

  • Choose fresh salmon for the best flavor and texture; frozen can be used but may affect the result.
  • Do not overcook salmon; remove from heat as soon as it flakes easily with a fork.
  • Season generously with Cajun spice, adjusting to your preferred heat level.
  • Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce while keeping its creamy texture.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for better melting and deeper flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun, Salmon, Creamy Pasta, Quick Dinner, One-Pot Meal, Seafood Pasta

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/creamy-cajun-salmon-pasta/