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Cajun Salmon Pasta

Cajun Salmon Pasta Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 710
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Boil a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta until al dente (about 10 to 12 minutes), and reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Pat the salmon dry, season with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear in olive oil over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from the pan.
  3. Reduce heat to medium, melt the butter, and sauté the garlic for 30 seconds. Add the remaining 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning and toast 30 seconds. Pour in the cream and broth, simmer 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened, then whisk in the Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  4. Toss the pasta in the sauce, gently fold in broken salmon chunks, and serve in bowls topped with parsley and extra Parmesan.

Notes

For the juiciest salmon, let it rest for 5 minutes after searing before you break it apart. If the sauce tightens up, thin it with a little reserved pasta water. You can use skin-on fillets; sear them skin-side down first for crispy skin.