Description
A rich, spicy Cajun cream sauce that elevates pasta, chicken, shrimp, and more in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Core Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of ½ lemon
Optional Add-Ins:
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and oil. Sauté garlic and shallot for 2–3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Build Roux & Spice Base: Whisk in flour; cook for 1 minute. Stir in Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne. Toast spices for 30 seconds.
- Add Cream & Broth: Slowly whisk in cream, then broth. Simmer 5–6 minutes until thickened slightly. Add salt and pepper.
- Finish: Reduce heat to low. Stir in Parmesan and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Blend or strain for extra smoothness, if desired.
- Garnish & Serve: Top with green onions or parsley. Serve immediately or cool for storage.
Notes
- Dairy-Free: Use oat or coconut cream and nutritional yeast.
- Gluten-Free: Swap flour with arrowroot or GF flour.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat gently.
- Protein Pairings: Great with blackened chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- DIY Cajun Seasoning: Paprika, garlic, onion powder, cayenne, salt, pepper.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About ½ cup
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg