A large plate filled with bright, thick and fresh pappardelle pasta ribbons coated in a light, creamy, lemony sauce with cajun spiced salmon chunks and topped with a sprinkle of parsley and red pepper flakes.

Cajun Salmon Pappardelle

Name: Cajun Salmon Pappardelle
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: salmon fillets, 4 skin removed, cut into bite-sized chunks; cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon; fresh pappardelle pasta, 1 pound (450 grams); heavy cream, 1/2 cup; parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup freshly grated; lemon juice, 1/4 cup freshly squeezed; garlic cloves, 2 minced; unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons; olive oil, 2 tablespoons; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste freshly ground; parsley leaves, for garnish chopped; red pepper flakes, for garnish

Category Main Course

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 15 minutes

Style Cajun

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: June 09, 2023

This recipe brings together the spicy flavors of cajun cooking and the lightness of a summery pasta dish. A fresh and colorful medley of ingredients featuring salmon and cajun spices complements the pappardelle pasta, soaked in a light and lemony sauce.

Ingredients (for 4)

Salmon fillets - 4 - skin removed, cut into bite-sized chunks
Cajun seasoning - 1 tablespoon
Fresh pappardelle pasta - 1 pound (450 grams)
Heavy cream - 1/2 cup
Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup freshly grated
Lemon juice - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed
Garlic cloves - 2 - minced
Unsalted butter - 2 tablespoons
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Black pepper - to taste - freshly ground
Parsley leaves - for garnish - chopped
Red pepper flakes - for garnish

Preparation

Step 1 - 🐟🌶️🧂

Coat the salmon chunks with cajun seasoning.
Step 2 - 🍝👨‍🍳🕰️

Cook the pappardelle pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
Step 3 - 🧄🍳🔥

Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4 - 🐟🍳🔥

Add the salmon to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove salmon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Step 5 - 🥛🧀🍋

Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring it to a boil while stirring constantly. Add the grated parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Stir until smooth.
Step 6 - 🍝🍲🔥

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce over low heat for 1 minute. If needed, gradually add the reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Step 7 - 🐟🍝🔥

Add the cooked salmon chunks back to the skillet, toss well, and cook for 1 minute until everything is heated through.
Step 8 - 🧂🧉🌶️

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 9 - 🍴🌿🌶️

Serve hot, topped with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

Additional

If you prefer a zestier flavor, add finely grated lemon zest to the sauce when you add the lemon juice. To make the recipe dairy-free, replace the heavy cream and parmesan cheese with coconut cream and nutritional yeast, respectively. Kids can help toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and sprinkle chopped parsley on top.