Cajun Alfredo Sauce Recipe
This creamy Cajun Alfredo Sauce brings a flavorful twist to traditional Alfredo by incorporating bold Cajun spices and smoked paprika. Perfect for coating pasta or enhancing dishes with a rich and spicy creamy sauce, it balances heat, citrus zest, and Parmesan cheese for a satisfying meal.
- Author: Sienna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
- Diet: Low Salt
Sauce Ingredients
- 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)
Cajun Seasoning (if making homemade)
- 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
- Prepare the Butter: Melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat until melted and it begins to froth, which means there are white bubbles forming on top. This step gently cooks the butter to bring out its flavor.
- Add Cream and Seasoning: Stir in the heavy cream and Cajun seasoning blend. Add the kosher salt only if your seasoning doesn’t already contain salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook on low heat for 5 to 6 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat and add the lemon zest for a bright citrus note. Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, mixing continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt if necessary.
- Serve: Toss the prepared sauce with cooked pasta directly in the pan to coat evenly, or serve the sauce alongside your dish as desired.
Notes
- Ensure to use freshly grated Parmesan cheese to achieve a smooth texture and richer flavor.
- If your Cajun seasoning is salt-free, remember to add kosher salt to taste.
- The lemon zest enhances the sauce’s freshness; avoid adding lemon juice to maintain creamy consistency.
- This sauce pairs well with fettuccine, linguine, or penne pasta.
- You can prepare the Cajun seasoning in advance by mixing the listed spices for homemade flavor control.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently to avoid curdling.
Keywords: Cajun Alfredo Sauce, Creamy Cajun Sauce, Cajun Pasta Sauce, Spicy Alfredo Sauce, Cajun Cream Sauce