Description
A rich and creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce bursting with bold flavors, made with butter, heavy cream, Cajun spices, parmesan cheese, and a hint of lemon zest. Perfect for tossing with pasta or turning into a satisfying Cajun chicken pasta meal.
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: Melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat until it is fully melted and begins to froth with white bubbles on top.
- Simmer 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 5 to 6 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Add Lemon Zest and Cheese: Remove the pan from the heat and add the lemon zest. Gradually stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Adjust salt to taste.
- Toss with Pasta or Serve: Add cooked pasta directly to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce, or serve the sauce as desired.
Notes
- Be cautious of salt content when using store-bought Cajun seasoning as many contain salt; a homemade blend is recommended for best flavor control.
- Do not add lemon juice to bubbling cream to prevent curdling; use lemon zest only.
- If the sauce turns out too thick, thin it with a little reserved pasta water for desired consistency.
- To make a Cajun Chicken Pasta, add 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken and 12 to 16 ounces of cooked pasta to the sauce. Frozen peas and spinach can also be added for extra veggies and nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 400 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: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
