Description
This rich and creamy Cajun Alfredo Sauce packs a bold flavor punch with a blend of homemade Cajun seasoning, butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta or transforming into a hearty Cajun chicken pasta, this sauce delivers a comforting and spicy twist on a classic Alfredo.
Ingredients
Scale
Cajun Alfredo Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons Cajun seasoning (homemade or store bought)*
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (omit if seasoning blend contains salt)
- 1¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon zest only
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
- Melt butter: In a large skillet over low heat, melt the unsalted butter until it begins to froth, forming white bubbles on top.
- Add cream and seasoning: Stir in the heavy cream and Cajun seasoning. Add salt if needed. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook on low heat for 6 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Incorporate lemon zest and cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and add the lemon zest. Gradually stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Toss with pasta or serve: Add your preferred cooked pasta directly to the pan and toss to coat evenly with the sauce, or serve the sauce alongside your dish as desired.
Notes
- Be mindful of the salt content in store-bought Cajun seasonings since many are seasoning salts rather than spice blends; the homemade blend is recommended for best flavor control.
- Avoid adding lemon juice to the hot cream sauce to prevent curdling; only use the lemon zest for freshness.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a splash of reserved pasta water for desired consistency.
- For a complete Cajun Chicken Pasta meal, add 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken and 12 to 16 ounces of cooked pasta to the sauce. Including frozen peas or spinach boosts nutrition and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
