🔥 Epic Blackened Salmon & Cajun Shrimp with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta 🍤🍝
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories per Serving: 700
Ingredients:
For the Blackened Salmon:
🐟 4 salmon fillets
🌶️ 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning or blackened seasoning
🫒 2 tbsp olive oil
🧂 Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Cajun Shrimp:
🍤 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
🌶️ 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
🧈 1 tbsp butter
🧄 2 garlic cloves, minced
For the Creamy Garlic Pasta:
🍝 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
🧈 2 tbsp butter
🧄 4 garlic cloves, minced
🧀 1 cup heavy cream
🧀 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
🌿 1 tsp Italian seasoning
🧂 Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Asparagus:
🌱 12 asparagus spears, trimmed
🫒 1 tbsp olive oil
🧂 Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Blacken the Salmon: Rub salmon with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon for 3-4 minutes on each side until crispy and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
Sauté the Shrimp: In the same skillet, melt butter and add garlic. Toss shrimp with Cajun seasoning, then cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Set aside.
Prepare the Creamy Pasta: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss the pasta in the sauce until coated.
Sear the Asparagus: Heat olive oil in a separate pan and sauté asparagus with salt and pepper until tender, about 5 minutes.
Assemble & Serve: Plate the creamy pasta first, top with blackened salmon and shrimp, and serve with the asparagus on the side. Garnish with a sprinkle of parsley or Parmesan cheese.
Notes & Variations:
Swap 🐟 salmon for chicken if preferred.
Add a pinch of paprika or chili flakes 🌶️ for extra spice.
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.