Easy Creamy Cajun Salmon Alfredo - This Cajun Salmon Alfredo is rich, smoky, creamy and packed full of flavour. It makes a great weeknight dinner that is ready to eat in 15 minutes!
Easy Creamy Cajun Salmon Alfredo
In this Cajun blackened salmon alfredo pasta recipe, Salmon is coated in a Cajun Spice mix and then cooked in a pan till seared on the outside and tender on the inside.
It it then tossed in fettuccine pasta and a creamy cajun sauce. It is the most delicious recipe and it makes a super speedy meal for 2.
Here are some other easy Pasta recipes that you may enjoy;
Easy, Creamy & Spicy Harissa Pasta
Gigi Hadid Viral Spicy Pasta without Vodka
Marks and Spencer copycat Spinach, Pine Nut and Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients Notes
Here are some notes on the ingredients you will need:
Salmon Fillets
Fresh, sustainable Salmon with the skin on. I prefer to keep it on, but you can remove it if you prefer.
Fettuccini Pasta
You can use Taglatelle instead. You could also use any medium Pasta shape.
Cajun Seasoning
I make my own for this recipe. You can use a store brought Cajun Spice mix.
I use the following Cajun Spices in my homemade Cajun Seasoning - Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Dry Theme, Parsley or Oregano, White Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper and Salt.
You can use regular Paprika if you prefer. I also like to add some Adobo sometimes.
Baby Spinach
I like to add a handful to add some extra nutrition points, a bit of body and flavour.
Pasta Water
This helps the sauce to cling to the pasta better.
Parmesan Cheese
I add shaved Parmesan at the end. You can add grated Grana Padana or your favourite cheese.
Butter
Adds more richness and flavour to the creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce.
Oil
To cook the Salmon. Use any oil with a high smoke point such as Vegetable, Rapeseed, Avocado Oil.
Double Cream/Heavy Cream
This makes this delicious recipe, rich and creamy. You can substitute for Single Cream.
How to make Cajun Salmon Alfredo
Full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page:
Cook pasta until al dente by adding pasta to a large pot of Water with a good pinch of Salt.
Cook according to the package directions but reduce the time by 2-3 minutes.
Drain the Pasta (reserve half a cup of the Pasta water).
Pat the Salmon with a paper towel to dry it.
Combine Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Dry Theme or Oregano, White Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper and Salt in a small bowl and mix together till combined.
Add half the seasoning to the Salmon.
Add Olive Oil to a large pan/large skillet and heat on medium heat.
Add salmon skin side down to add a nice brown sear (about 3 - 5 minutes), then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
To make the creamy sauce, melt Butter in the pan, add Garlic, then stir in Spinach. Cook till it wilts and stir in Cream and remaining seasoning.
Then add the Pasta, some Pasta water and the Salmon and mix everything through. Simmer for a minute.
Top with Parmesan and enjoy!
Tips to cook Creamy Salmon Pasta
Salmon
Check that the Salmon is cooked before removing it from the pan. To check it, press down on the Salmon and it should easily flake.
Ingredients Prep
This is a super speedy recipe and as such, it is best to have everything ready.
Cajun Seasoning
If you are using a store brought Cajun seasoning, check if it has Salt in it and add Salt to the recipe if it doesn’t.
Sear the Salmon
Make sure the pan and oil are nice and hot. This will help to sear the Salmon and form a crust adding some texture to this recipe.
Reserve some of the Pasta water
This will create a silky cream sauce and will help the sauce to cling to the Pasta. Or add some Stock or Chicken broth.
Variations
Make it Dairy Free
Use Dairy Free alternatives for the Butter, Cream and Cheese.
Make it Gluten-Free
Use a Gluten Free Pasta.
Make it lighter
Use a lighter Cream and Cheese variety.
Pasta
Use any variety of medium size or long Pasta that you like. Such as Penne Pasta or Spaghetti.
Add Vegetables
Stir in your favourite veggies like Corn, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Asparagus.
Use another Protein
Use Chicken Breast or Prawns instead for a different flavour profile.
Add Lemon
Stir in Lemon Juice and Zest to pep up the flavour.
Tomato Paste/Puree
Stir in some Tomato Puree or Sun-dried Tomato Paste.
Parmesan Cheese
Use Grana Padana, Pecorino or Mature Cheddar instead.
Cream Cheese
Stir in some cream cheese to make it tangy and creamy.
Herbs
You can use Italian seasoning instead of Oregano or Thyme.
What to serve with Cajun Salmon Alfredo
You can serve this Pasta recipe with:
Roast Vegetables
Crusty Bread
Focaccia
A Green Salad
Storage and Reheating
FRIDGE INSTRUCTIONS
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To reheat, place in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of Water before reheating.
FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS
You can also freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQS
Is Cajun Salmon Alfredo healthy?
Full nutritional information can be found below. It does have Cheese and Cream in it but you can use lighter varieties instead.
What is blackened Salmon?
Blackened salmon refers to how the seasoned Salmon turns dark when cooked because of the seasoning.
Can I make this Cajun Salmon Alfredo ahead of time?
I wouldn’t recommend making it any longer then 1 hour ahead of time.
More Easy Dinner Recipes:
Salmon and Vegetable Traybake with Coconut Rice
Rigatoni Al Forno with Béchamel Sauce
Panda Express Copycat - Honey Sesame Chicken Strips
More Pasta Recipes:
How to make Easy Indian Style Masala Macaroni
Masala Pasta with Chicken and Cheese
The ultimate 5 cheese Mac and Cheese
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Easy Creamy Cajun Salmon Alfredo
Ingredients
Pasta
- 250 g Fetuccini Or any medium or long Pasta
Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Dry Oregano or Thyme or Parsley
- ¼ teaspoon Ground White Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Salmon
- 250 g Salmon Fillets
Creamy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Paste
- Handful Baby Spinach
- 115 ml Double Cream
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan Shaves or Grated
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente by adding pasta to a large pot of Water with a good pinch of Salt. Cook according to the package directions but reduce the time by 2-3 minutes. Drain the Pasta (reserve half a cup of the Pasta water).
- Combine Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Dry Theme or Oregano, White Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper and Salt in a small bowl and mix together till combined.
- Pat the Salmon with a paper towel to dry it. Add half the seasoning to the Salmon.
- Add Olive Oil to a large pan/large skillet and heat on medium heat.
- Add salmon skin side down to add a nice brown sear (about 3 - 5 minutes), then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- To make the creamy sauce, melt Butter in the pan, add Garlic, then stir in Spinach. Cook till it wilts and stir in Cream and remaining seasoning. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Then add the Pasta, some Pasta water and the Salmon and mix everything through. Simmer for a minute. Top with Parmesan and enjoy!
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