Blackened Salmon & Creamy Cajun Pasta
This Blackened Salmon & Creamy Cajun Pasta dish combines perfectly seared, spicy salmon with a creamy, Cajun-inspired pasta that’s loaded with vegetables and Parmesan cheese.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 880kcal
Ingredients
For the salmon:
- 2 tablespoons paprika I prefer smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cayenne add more for more heat
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoon butter melted
- 4 salmon filets 4-5 ounces each)
For the pasta:
- 8 ounces farfalle
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms chopped
- 1 bell pepper diced (I use a mix of red and green)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- Red chili flakes optional
Instructions
For the salmon:
- Mix together the seasonings. Divide it in equal parts. Put one part in a shallow bowl. Reserve the rest.
- Heat a pan over medium heat.
- Melt the butter in a shallow bowl. Dredge the fish in the butter to coat well on all sides.
- Dredge the fish in the seasonings, on all sides.
- Place the fish in the pan and sear until blackened, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking for another 3 minutes. The perfect internal temperature for salmon is 130° F(55°C). Remove it from the pan and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
For the pasta:
- In a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta 2 minutes less than the box instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. When hot, cook the onion, mushrooms, and bell peppers until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stock, and Cajun seasoning. Cook and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta to the thickened cream sauce, along with half the reserved pasta water, and the Parmesan cheese. Stir to incorporate. Add more water, if necessary.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and chili flakes.
Video
Notes
- The key to juicy, flavorful salmon is to cook it just until it reaches 130°F(55°C) internally. This ensures the salmon is perfectly tender and not dried out.
- The Cajun seasoning blend is what gives this dish its signature flavor. Feel free to adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less cayenne pepper.
- Don’t skip the step of reserving pasta water! The starchy water helps to thicken the sauce and bind it to the pasta, creating a creamy, cohesive dish. Start by adding about half of the reserved pasta water and more as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Nutrition
Calories: 880kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 192mg | Sodium: 2140mg | Potassium: 1490mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 6785IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 285mg | Iron: 5mg