Description
A rich and flavorful Cajun Alfredo sauce combining creamy butter and heavy cream with bold Cajun spices and freshly grated parmesan cheese, finished with a hint of lemon zest. Perfect for coating pasta or as a decadent sauce for your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons Cajun seasoning (homemade or store bought)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (omit if your seasoning blend contains salt)
- 1 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon (zest only)
- 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
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over low heat until fully melted and it begins to froth, showing white bubbles on top, which helps infuse the flavor throughout the sauce.
- Add Cream and Seasoning: Stir in the heavy cream and Cajun seasoning blend. Add kosher salt at this stage only if your seasoning mix does not contain salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook on low heat for 5 to 6 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Incorporate Lemon Zest and Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat and add lemon zest for a fresh, citrus brightness. Gradually add the freshly grated parmesan cheese while stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Adjust salt to taste.
- Serve: Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat evenly with the sauce, or serve the sauce separately as desired. Enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust the salt depending on the saltiness of your Cajun seasoning blend.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer a little longer; for thinner sauce, add a splash of cream or pasta water.
- The sauce works beautifully over fettuccine, linguine, or penne.
