Cajun Crawfish Alfredo with Penne Pasta
Dive into the bold flavors of Louisiana with this creamy Cajun Crawfish Alfredo with Penne Pasta—a luxurious twist on classic comfort food. This dish combines tender penne pasta with succulent crawfish tails, enveloped in a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce infused with zesty Cajun seasoning, garlic, and a hint of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. The blend of heavy cream, Parmesan, and cream cheese creates an irresistibly smooth and flavorful base, perfectly complemented by fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch. Quick and easy to prepare in just 40 minutes, this recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners yet special enough to impress at gatherings. Whether you're craving a hearty seafood pasta or looking to spice up your dinner menu, this Cajun Crawfish Alfredo is a must-try!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb crawfish tails, cooked and peeled
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbsp parsley, freshly chopped
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Add the cooked crawfish tails to the skillet, followed by the Cajun seasoning. Stir well to coat the crawfish in the seasonings. Cook for 2-3 minutes to warm the crawfish and blend flavors.
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and cream cheese, whisking until both are fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for extra heat. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Toss the pasta in the sauce until evenly coated.
Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the pasta and stir to combine. Remove the skillet from heat.
Serve the Cajun Crawfish Alfredo warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
937 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 70.3 g | 90% | |
| Saturated Fat | 40.1 g | 200% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 348 mg | 116% | |
| Sodium | 936 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.3 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.9 g | ||
| Protein | 34.3 g | 69% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 328 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 431 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
