Description
This creamy Cajun Pasta recipe brings a spicy and flavorful twist to your dinner table, combining aromatic Cajun spices with a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a quick and delicious meal that pairs wonderfully with your favorite pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 1 ½ tsp. Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp. sweet paprika
- ½ tsp. dried oregano
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1–2 Tbsp. fresh minced parsley
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces dry pasta of your choice
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics: In a large non-stick skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, ensuring it does not brown.
- Reduce the wine: Pour in the dry white wine and cook until it reduces by half, approximately 2 minutes, to concentrate the flavors.
- Add spices: Stir in the Cajun seasoning, sweet paprika, and dried oregano. Cook while stirring for about 30 seconds until the spices become fragrant.
- Create the sauce: Add the heavy whipping cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes or until it slightly thickens. Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh minced parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, stir in the fresh lemon juice for added brightness.
- Cook and toss pasta: Meanwhile, cook 8 ounces of your favorite dry pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining. Immediately toss the cooked pasta in the skillet with the sauce, adding the reserved pasta water to help the sauce adhere better to the pasta.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and improve sauce adherence to pasta.
- You can substitute the dry white wine with chicken broth if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and ensure the Cajun seasoning is free of animal products.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount depending on your preferred spice level.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness; dried parsley can be used in a pinch but reduce quantity.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better melting and flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer a bit longer before adding cheese.
