This Cajun Pasta is spicy, flavorful, so easy to make and so hearty. We love serving it with Cajun Fish for a full meal that’s basically cooked in one pot. If you’re looking for a new pasta recipe with a kick, this cajun pasta recipe is so satisfying, quick and easy!
This is a one pot meal, creamy delicious pasta recipe with a kick. Cajun pasta is so flavor packed, and just as comforting as any pasta meal. We make it extra hearty here by adding cajun Halibut to the pot and it becomes irresistibly GOOD!
You can make this with or without the fish, or even use chicken. Plenty of times this recipe is made into a cajun chicken pasta which you can do here. Simply substitute the fish with chicken, however we LOVE the seafood version SO MUCH more!
Any type of firm fish works great here. Mahi Mahi, Cod, Salmon, Crab, Lobster Tail, Shrimp Pasta or Ahi Tuna. Follow the same recipe step by step and use your favorite protein.
This succulent cajun pasta recipe is spicy, and that’s because we use Rotel tomatoes with chillies. You can opt for a mild version, especially if you’re feeding kids too. Similarly, use a cajun spice blend that’s mild or make it at home as we did here. Either way you’ll love this recipe, and here’s why.
Why You’ll Love This Cajun Pasta
- It’s TASTY. So full of flavor and spice!
- This recipe is a one pot meal so it makes for a convenient dinner on busy night or weekdays.
- You can control how spicy or mild you want the dish to be.
- Similarly you can control how creamy or non creamy you prefer the sauce to be.
- Make it using fish, or chicken or leave it vegetarian.
- It’s comfort food.
Ingredients You Need
- Cajun Seasoning. We made our homemade cajun seasoning so we have full control of the spice. It’s a blend of smoked paprika, garlic and onion powders, chilli flakes and oregano.
- Aromatics. Our usual aromatics include onions, sweet bell peppers all minced and some garlic of course.
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes. You can use your favorite brand, we love the Rotel brand. We also love the diced toatoes with chillies as we love the spice.
- Cream Cheese. This is the SECRET to creamy cajun pasta. Use as much or as little of it to make a creamy cajun pasta.
- Herbs. A blend of cilantro and parsley, but mostly cilantro is the hero flavor here.
- Halibut. This is optional and can be made using chicken for a chicken cajun pasta. But we LOVE it with seafood!
- Penne Pasta. While any shape of pasta works, we find that penne is perfect for this dish.
How to Make Cajun Pasta
Cook the Fish or Chicken
- Prepare the cajun seasoning if making at home. You can use store bought of course and it works just as great! Our seasoning blend includes salt, pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, granulated onion and garlic. Now we also add in chilli flakes, but you can adjust that to your taste.
- To start off, season the type of protein you’re using with your homemade or store bought cajun seasoning. We used Halibut here, but any type of firm fish would work. Chicken breasts are a great chicken variety.
- Sear the fish in a skillet in oil over high heat. You need that perfect char on the outside.
- You’ll also be flipping the fish, and searing it on the other side until charred.
- If you’re using a thick fillet or even chicken breast, make sure you chat the sides as well.
- Once that is ready, remove the fish or chicken from the skillet on to a plate. Don’t wash the skillet as you will use it to make the sauce. This is key to maximum flavor.
Make The Cajun Pasta Sauce
- To make the cajun sauce for the pasta, you’ll begin by sautéing the onions and bell peppers until soft and tender.
- Then you’ll add in the fire roasted tomatoes, more cajun seasoning and cook. You want some of the liquid to evaporate and still maintain a saucy feel.
- Return the fish or chicken back to the sauce in the skillet and let that simmer for a few minutes to fully cook.
- Finish the sauce with herbs and the cream cheese. Add as much or as litle of the cream cheese depending on how creamy you like the sauce to be.
Add the Pasta
- Cook your pasta separately according to the package instructions.
- Now add the pasta right into the sauce and toss it really well to coat evenly.
- Serve the cajun pasta topped with the cajun fish or chicken, and load up more sauce on top.
Cajun Pasta Tips
- Make your own homemade cajun seasoning if you want to control the spice. Also if you want to control the saltiness of your dish. It’s so easy and the full recipe is included below.
- Use your favorite type of protein such as chicken breast or fish.
- If using fish, make sure the fillet is firm. Something like Halibut, Mahi Mahi, or Cod work great here. Shrimp cajun pasta is another great variation to make.
- Likewise, penne is our favorite pasta shape to suck up all the sauce!
- We love fire roasted tomatoes with chillies as they add a kick of spice and charred flavor to the sauce. Rotel is what we used, but feel free to use what you like.
- It’s best to use a large skillet for this recipe as this is a one pot meal. This also ensures a flavorful sauce when you use the same skillet.
- When searing the fish or chicken, make sure all sides are charred well.
- If the chicken or fish haven’t fully cooked, they have a chance to cook when they’re placed back in the sauce. SO don’t worry about fully cooking the protein initially with the charring step.
- Add as much or as little cream cheese as you like. We love a medium creamy cajun sauce. Not too creamy and not to red, so we used 2 Tablespoons.
- To avoid breaking the fish or chicken into chunks when adding the pasta, it’s best to remove it from the pan. After tossing the pasta well into the cajun sauce, serve the protein on top.
What to Serve with Cajun Pasta?
We love a bright light salad here. Something like Creamy Cucumber Salad, Black Bean and Corn Salad, Wedge Salad. If you love breads with the pasta, our Cornbread Recipe is a MUST!
Can I make Cajun Pasta in Advance?
YES! You can prepare the sauce and protein, and store that in the fridge for up to 5 days. On the day of, simply reheat the sauce, cook the pasta and assemble the dish. Likewise you can freeze the sauce and protein without pasta for upto 2 months. Thaw and reheat in a skillet too. It’s best not to freeze with the pasta as it soaks up all the sauce.
One Pot Meals
Taco Spaghetti
Shrimp Pasta
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Tuna Casserole
Lamb shoulder chops
Taco Soup
Beef Tips And Rice
Cajun Pasta
This Cajun Pasta is spicy, flavorful, so easy to make and so hearty. We love serving it with Cajun Fish for a full meal that’s basically cooked in one pot. If you’re looking for a new pasta recipe with a kick, this cajun pasta recipe is so satisfying, quick and easy!
Ingredients
Fish
-
2
Halibut fillets
defrosted
Cajun Spice Blend (or use store bought)
-
2
teaspoons
smoked paprika -
1
teaspoon
oregano -
1/2
teaspoon
garlic powder -
1/2
teaspoon
onion powder -
1/4
teaspoon
chilli flakes -
1/4
teaspoon
each salt and pepper
or to taste
Cajun Sauce
-
1
Tablespoon
neutral oil -
1
onion
minced -
1
bell pepper
any colour, finely diced -
2
cloves
of garlic
minced -
1 1/2
cups
fire roasted tomatoes
diced (with our without jalapeños) -
1/2
cup
stock or water -
1
teaspoon
Cajun seasoning
above -
1/4
teaspoon
chilli flakes
optional -
2
tablespoons
Cream cheese -
2
tablespoons
cilantro
minced
Pasta
-
1
pack pasta of your choice
cooked
Instructions
-
In a small bowl, mix all the cajun seasoning blend. You can also use store bought.
-
Season the fish on both sides with some of the cajun blend, reserving the rest for the sauce.
-
Preheat a skilet over medium high heat and add in the oil.
-
Sear the fish on all sides until charred. Make sure to sear the sides as well.
-
Remove the fish from the skillet and use it to make the sauce.
-
Add in the onions and bell peppers and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
-
Add in the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
-
Add in the fire roasted diced tomatoes. You can use the spicy tomatoes with jalapeños or plain one. Add the water or stock.
-
Cook the tomatoes for 5 minutes, add in the cajun seasoning and cook for another minutes before adding the fish back.
-
Cook the halibut in the cajun sauce for 5 minutes over medium low heat until the fish has cooked through.
-
At that point add int he cream cheese to the skillet and it will dissolve into the sauce making it creamy. Cook the sauce for another 2-3 minutes.
-
Taste the seasoning of the sauce and when it’s ready, remove the fish from the skillet.
-
Add in the cooked pasta and toss it well to coat it in the cajun sauce.
-
Serve the cajun pasta on a plate and top that with the cajun fish.
-
Garnish with extra cilantro if you like.
-
Enjoy and Bon appetit
Recipe Notes
Cajun Pasta Tips
- Make your own homemade cajun seasoning if you want to control the spice. Also if you want to control the saltiness of your dish. It’s so easy and the full recipe is included below.
- Use your favorite type of protein such as chicken breast or fish.
- If using fish, make sure the fillet is firm. Something like Halibut, Mahi Mahi, or Cod work great here. Shrimp cajun pasta is another great variation to make.
- Likewise, penne is our favorite pasta shape to suck up all the sauce!
- We love fire roasted tomatoes with chillies as they add a kick of spice and charred flavor to the sauce. Rotel is what we used, but feel free to use what you like.
- It’s best to use a large skillet for this recipe as this is a one pot meal. This also ensures a flavorful sauce when you use the same skillet.
- When searing the fish or chicken, make sure all sides are charred well.
- If the chicken or fish haven’t fully cooked, they have a chance to cook when they’re placed back in the sauce. SO don’t worry about fully cooking the protein initially with the charring step.
- Add as much or as little cream cheese as you like. We love a medium creamy cajun sauce. Not too creamy and not to red, so we used 2 Tablespoons.
- To avoid breaking the fish or chicken into chunks when adding the pasta, it’s best to remove it from the pan. After tossing the pasta well into the cajun sauce, serve the protein on top.
What to Serve with Cajun Pasta?
We love a bright light salad here. Something like Creamy Cucumber Salad, Black Bean and Corn Salad, Wedge Salad. If you love breads with the pasta, our Cornbread Recipe is a MUST!
Can I make Cajun Pasta in Advance?
YES! You can prepare the sauce and protein, and store that in the fridge for up to 5 days. On the day of, simply reheat the sauce, cook the pasta and assemble the dish. Likewise you can freeze the sauce and protein without pasta for upto 2 months. Thaw and reheat in a skillet too. It’s best not to freeze with the pasta as it soaks up all the sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Cajun Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 401
Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 0.03g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 98mg33%
Sodium 772mg34%
Potassium 1101mg31%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 37g74%
Vitamin A 4623IU92%
Vitamin C 85mg103%
Calcium 138mg14%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
