Description
This Cajun Alfredo Sauce brings a bold and creamy twist to traditional Alfredo with a vibrant Cajun seasoning blend and a hint of lemon zest. Perfect for pasta dishes or as a flavorful sauce to elevate your meals with big flavor.
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 your 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 teaspoons 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: Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over low heat until melted and it begins to froth with white bubbles on top.
- Add Cream and Seasoning: Stir in the heavy cream and Cajun seasoning. Add kosher salt if needed. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook on low heat for 6 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Add Lemon Zest and Cheese: Remove the pan from the heat. Add the lemon zest, then gradually add the freshly grated parmesan cheese while stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Adjust salt to taste.
- Combine with Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce, or serve the sauce alongside as desired.
Notes
- Be cautious of salt content in store-bought Cajun seasoning as many are seasoning salts rather than spice blends; homemade seasoning is recommended for best flavor control.
- Do not add lemon juice to the hot cream as it may cause curdling; use only lemon zest for brightness.
- If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a splash of pasta water for desired consistency.
- To make Cajun Chicken Pasta, add 2 cups shredded cooked chicken and 12 to 16 ounces of cooked pasta to this sauce. Frozen peas or spinach can be added for extra veggies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
