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Flavorful Cajun Salmon with Creamy Pasta

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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring juicy Cajun-seasoned salmon paired with rich, creamy pasta for a comforting yet bold flavor combination.

Ingredients

  • Salmon fillets, skin on, about 6 ounces each (wild-caught recommended)
  • Cajun seasoning blend (store-bought or homemade)
  • Olive oil or avocado oil (for searing)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Penne or fettuccine pasta, about 8 ounces (use gluten-free pasta if needed)
  • Heavy cream or half-and-half, 1 cup
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, ½ cup
  • Garlic cloves, 2, minced
  • Butter, 2 tablespoons (unsalted, softened)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, 1 tablespoon
  • Optional: fresh lemon juice (for salmon)
  • Optional: red pepper flakes (for extra heat)
  • Optional: white wine (for cream sauce)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides evenly with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive or avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon skin-side down and sear for 4–5 minutes without moving. Flip and cook for another 3–4 minutes until cooked through and flakes easily. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium in the same skillet. Add 2 tablespoons butter and melt. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan until melted and smooth.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet with sauce. Toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed to loosen sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in chopped parsley.
  7. Plate creamy pasta and top with Cajun salmon fillet. Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon juice over salmon and garnish with extra parsley or Parmesan.

Notes

Preheat pan properly for a crispy salmon crust. Use a thin spatula to flip salmon to avoid breaking fillets. Keep cream sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent curdling. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun salmon, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy recipe, seafood, spicy salmon, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/flavorful-cajun-salmon-with-creamy-pasta-easy-30-minute-dinner-recipe/