Description
Quick Creamy Cajun Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish that combines bold Cajun spices with a luscious creamy sauce and tender pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy-to-make meal brings restaurant-quality flavors to your kitchen, perfect for a spicy yet comforting dinner that can be customized with chicken, shrimp, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
Proteins (optional)
- 1 lb chicken breast or shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Spices
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend (paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, herbs)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Dairy and Fats
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnishes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water for later.
- Sauté aromatics and protein: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add your choice of protein (chicken or shrimp), seasoning generously with Cajun seasoning, and cook until fully done (chicken no longer pink inside or shrimp opaque and curled).
- Make the creamy Cajun sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir in additional Cajun seasoning to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve a silky, creamy consistency.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the creamy sauce, ensuring every strand is well coated. Cook together for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for freshness and color. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Use freshly ground spices for maximum freshness and flavor in your Cajun seasoning.
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness, as it will continue cooking slightly in the sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed without diluting flavor.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better melting and richer taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, creamy pasta, spicy pasta, quick dinner, one-pan pasta, Cajun seasoning, seafood pasta, chicken pasta