Cajun Salmon Pasta Recipe
A creamy, flavorful Cajun pasta with salmon made without cream! This easy, healthy salmon pasta is packed with bold Cajun spices, tender flaky salmon, and a light yet silky sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but is actually wholesome and nourishing.
Author: Sheeba
Equipment
Ingredients
Cajun seasoning blend
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Cajun salmon
- 400-450 grams (15-16 ounces) salmon
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta
- 250 grams (9 ounces) pasta (note 2)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano Reggiano (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (note 3)
Creamy Cajun sauce
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes chopped
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup cashew paste (note 1)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
STEP BY STEP IMAGES
Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!
Instructions
Prepare Cajun seasoning
- Mix all the spices for the Cajun seasoning in a bowl: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon sweet paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dried oregano and 1 teaspoon dried basil.
Season the salmon
- Remove the skin from 400-450 grams (15-16 ounces) salmon and cut it into 4 fillets.
- Spread ½ tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning on all sides of the fillets evenly.
- Sprinkle ½ teaspoon lemon juice on the fillets and keep them aside for a few minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
Pan-fry the salmon
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan and sear the salmon on medium-high heat.
- Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes each side until browned on all sides.
- Transfer the salmon fillets to a plate and allow them to rest for a couple of minutes.
- Break the fillets into chunks using a fork. Keep aside.
Cook pasta
- Boil 250 grams (9 ounces) pasta in salted water and drain.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the drained pasta and stir.
- Cover the pasta pot and let it rest for a few minutes.
Make creamy Cajun sauce
- In the same pan you cooked salmon, add the chopped onion and sauté.
- Once it turns translucent, add minced garlic and stir.
- Add the sun dried tomatoes and remaining Cajun seasoning to the pan and stir on low flame until you get a nice aroma.
- Add 2 tablespoons fresh thyme and 2 cups spinach. Stir until slightly wilted.
- Add ¼ cup milk and crank up the heat. Bring it to a boil.
- Add ¼ cup cashew paste and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Continue cooking on low flame until the sauce starts simmering and comes together.
- Add the shredded salmon and stir gently.
- Add the pasta to the sauce and mix until combined.
- Serve, sprinkled with 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano Reggiano, if using.
Video
Notes
- Cashew paste: Blend 12 to 15 cashews with ¼ cup of water (soak them for 10 minutes before blending, if time permits). If you don't have a blender, use 3 tablespoons of cashew butter thinned down with a little water.
- Pasta: I prefer short tubular like penne or rigatoni which have ridges to trap the amazing sauce. Textured ones like fusilli or orecchiette are also fine.
- For extra flavor: Add the oil from sun dried tomatoes (instead of regular olive oil) to the drained pasta.
- Cajun seasoning: Paprika, cayenne, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and salt. You can reduce the quantity of cayenne or omit it completely according to your preference.
- Paprika: I’ve used both smoked and sweet paprika. You can use either one of those.
- Milk: You can either use regular milk or almond milk, if you want to avoid dairy.
Nutrition Facts
Cajun Salmon Pasta Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
534.7
% Daily Value*
Fat
18.2
g
28
%
Saturated Fat
3.3
g
21
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
4.3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
8.9
g
Cholesterol
58.5
mg
20
%
Sodium
698.9
mg
30
%
Potassium
1140.8
mg
33
%
Carbohydrates
60.4
g
20
%
Fiber
5.3
g
22
%
Sugar
7.2
g
8
%
Protein
32.9
g
66
%
Vitamin A
2083.7
IU
42
%
Vitamin C
17.4
mg
21
%
Calcium
146.9
mg
15
%
Iron
4.5
mg
25
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.