Creamy Cajun Salmon Pasta
Creamy Cajun Salmon Pasta
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 3 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each, skin on
- as needed kosher salt, for dry brine
- as needed avocado oil
- as needed Cajun seasoning
- as needed ghee, or butter
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1/2 pound broccoli, steamed and chopped
- 1/2 white onion, large, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- to taste red pepper flakes
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for topping
- as needed fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Season the salmon fillets generously with kosher salt. Place them uncovered in the refrigerator and dry brine overnight, or for at least a few hours. Before cooking, pat the salmon completely dry with paper towels.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside. Steam the broccoli until tender, then chop it into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min
- 3
Lightly rub the dry salmon fillets with avocado oil, then season generously with Cajun seasoning.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Heat ghee (or butter) and a splash of avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Carefully place the seasoned salmon fillets, skin-side down, into the hot skillet. Sear until the skin is deeply golden and crispy, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min
- 6
Flip the salmon fillets to sear the other side for 1-2 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through to your desired doneness. Remove the salmon from the oven and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 400
- 7
Return the same skillet to the stovetop over medium heat. Add the diced white onion to the leftover fat in the pan and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min
- 8
Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (to taste) to the skillet with the onions. Cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Pour in the heavy cream and the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking occasionally until the sauce is smooth.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
Stir in the steamed and chopped broccoli and the cooked penne pasta. Add 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta and broccoli are well coated and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 11
Gently nestle the cooked salmon pieces on top of the creamy pasta in the skillet. Allow them to steam in the sauce for about 2 minutes to warm through.
⏱️ 2 min
- 12
Garnish the dish generously with fresh chopped parsley, a sprinkle of additional red pepper flakes (if desired), and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Cajun Salmon Pasta
For the Salmon
- 3 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each, skin on
- as needed kosher salt, for dry brine
- as needed avocado oil
- as needed Cajun seasoning
- as needed ghee, or butter
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1/2 pound broccoli, steamed and chopped
- 1/2 white onion, large, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- to taste red pepper flakes
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for topping
- as needed fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Season the salmon fillets generously with kosher salt. Place them uncovered in the refrigerator and dry brine overnight, or for at least a few hours. Before cooking, pat the salmon completely dry with paper towels.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside. Steam the broccoli until tender, then chop it into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min - 3
Lightly rub the dry salmon fillets with avocado oil, then season generously with Cajun seasoning.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Heat ghee (or butter) and a splash of avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Carefully place the seasoned salmon fillets, skin-side down, into the hot skillet. Sear until the skin is deeply golden and crispy, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min - 6
Flip the salmon fillets to sear the other side for 1-2 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through to your desired doneness. Remove the salmon from the oven and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 400 - 7
Return the same skillet to the stovetop over medium heat. Add the diced white onion to the leftover fat in the pan and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min - 8
Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (to taste) to the skillet with the onions. Cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Pour in the heavy cream and the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking occasionally until the sauce is smooth.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
Stir in the steamed and chopped broccoli and the cooked penne pasta. Add 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta and broccoli are well coated and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 11
Gently nestle the cooked salmon pieces on top of the creamy pasta in the skillet. Allow them to steam in the sauce for about 2 minutes to warm through.
⏱️ 2 min - 12
Garnish the dish generously with fresh chopped parsley, a sprinkle of additional red pepper flakes (if desired), and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!
⏱️ 1 min