Make this Cajun Alfredo Sauce for a spicy twist on your basic pasta sauce. All done in 15 minutes, with no flour and zero chopping. Use store bought or homemade cajun seasoning. This is a quick, tasty dinner full of flavor - with or without added proteins!
A Spicy Twist on Your Classic Pasta Sauce
Now before you say anything: yes, I know a classic, authentic Alfredo sauce shouldn't have cream. But you know what? It shouldn't have cajun seasoning either, so I have no shame today.
If you can get over that fact, you'll love this spicy version. It's quick and all done in just 15 minutes, it's super easy to make, and you don't even have to chop anything.
And to make it even easier? Use store bought cajun seasoning. Or make it yourself, so that you can adjust the level of spiciness just as you like it.
Want something different, but also done in 15 minutes? Try this Taco Pasta! Or make a lazy lasagna with super simple prep, ready to eat in 35 minutes.
"I LOVE this recipe! I made this for a family dinner and everyone loved it. I got so many compliments." - Kierstyn
Use Storebought Seasoning or Make It From Scratch
You really only need 5 ingredients for this recipe: pasta, butter, cream, parmesan cheese and cajun seasoning.
I used fresh pasta here, just because it's quicker - but you can just as well use dried pasta.
A Note on Cajun Seasoning
If you want to make the seasoning from scratch, it's very easy using common spices, and I've included a recipe for it in the recipe card. The benefit of making it yourself is that you can adjust the amount of salt, and how spicy you want it.
If you use store-bought Cajun seasoning, keep in mind that it can be quite salty. So don't add any salt to start. Taste test the finished dish, then add salt only if needed.
How to Make a Spicy Alfredo Pasta in 15 Minutes - Or Less
1. Make the Sauce
To make the sauce, melt butter in a skillet, then pour in cream. Add homemade or storebought Cajun seasoning, then mix well and simmer 5 minutes.
2. Thicken the Sauce
To thicken the sauce, we'll use pasta cooking water. Yes, that's right! No need to add any flour or corn starch, pasta water has so much starch, and much more flavor. So just add that liquid gold, then allow to simmer 1 minute more.
3. Add Pasta & Cheese
Finally, mix in the pasta, then remove from the heat and mix in shredded Parmesan cheese. It's important to remove the pan from the heat first, as we're adding a lot of cheese and want to avoid clumps. These can arise if the cheese is heated too fast.
Taste test, and you are ready to serve!
Tips for the Best Cajun Alfredo Sauce
Go easy on the spices. If you want to be sure it does not come out too spicy, start with half the cajun seasoning and add more as needed towards the end.
Do add the pasta water. This is full of starch and the best way to thicken sauces for pasta and helps the sauce coat the pasta really well. Easier and quicker than adding flour!
Is your sauce too thin? Simmer a minute longer until it reaches your desired consistency.
Is your sauce too thick? Add a bit more pasta cooking water.
Variations to Try
This Cajun Alfredo Pasta is delicious on its own, full of flavor and very filling. But, it's also delicious with some additions. Here are my favorites:
Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta. Add sliced cooked chicken on top just before serving, or mix it in with the pasta and cheese. You can use leftover grilled chicken, shredded chicken, sear chicken breasts just for this, or use store bought rotisserie chicken.
Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta. Add cooked shrimp on top just before serving, or mix in with the pasta and cheese. I like using air fryer shrimp for this since they cook so quickly.
Cajun Sausage Alfredo Pasta. Add sliced and cooked sausage together with the pasta and cheese. Andouille, chorizo or another smoked and/or spicy sausage is great for this, but you can ue any sausage you enjoy. Even leftover hot dogs!
Cajun Tofu Alfredo Pasta. Add crispy tofu on top just before serving, or mix it in with the pasta and cheese.
Cajun Chickpea Alfredo Pasta. Drain canned, cooked, chickpeas and add to the sauce before simmering.
What to Do with Leftovers
This dish is best eaten fresh. The fat tends to separate when reheating, so I recommend finishing it all straight away. However, you can eat leftovers as well - they're just not as good.
Storing & reheating leftovers: Store the sauce separate from the pasta, and reheat gently to avoid separating.
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
I don't recommend freezing this sauce as it tends to separate.
Recipe
Easy Cajun Alfredo Sauce (Add Any Protein!)
Print RateIngredients
- ½ cup butter
- 1½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon cajun seasoning store bought or 1 batch of the included recipe; use less to make it less spicy
- 1 lb fresh pasta cooked 1 minute less than package instruction; or dried pasta
- ¾ cup pasta cooking water
- 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
Cajun seasoning
- ½ tablespoon paprika powder regular or smoked
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon fine table salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more for a spicier version
To serve
- paprika powder optional
Instructions
- Mix together the spices for the cajun seasoning in a small bowl.½ tablespoon paprika powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon fine table salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.½ cup butter
- Pour in the cream and bring to a simmer.1½ cup heavy cream
- Add the cajun seasoning and mix well. Simmer for 5 minutes.2 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- Add pasta cooking water and mix, simmer for 1 minute, then mix in the pasta.¾ cup pasta cooking water, 1 lb fresh pasta
- Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in the shredded Parmesan cheese.2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
- Taste test, and adjust seasoning as needed. Top with paprika powder to serve.paprika powder
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
- Small bowl
Notes
A Note on Cajun Seasoning
If you want to make the seasoning from scratch, it's very easy using common spices, and I've included a recipe for it. The benefit of making it yourself is that you can adjust the amount of salt, and how spicy you want it. If you use store-bought Cajun seasoning, keep in mind that it can be quite salty. So don't add any salt to start. Taste test the finished dish, then add salt only if needed. ÂWhat to Do with Leftovers
This dish is best eaten fresh. The fat tends to separate when reheating, so I recommend finishing it all straight away. However, you can eat leftovers as well - they're just not as good. Storing & reheating leftovers: Store the sauce separate from the pasta, and reheat gently to avoid separating. Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I don't recommend freezing this sauce as it tends to separate.Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Emily H
Delicious! I added some Garlic Power hot sauce to my bowl and it was perfect. I used a premade Cajun seasoning (Target brand). It’s so easy - I know we will make this again.
kierstyn barton
I LOVE this recipe! I made this for a family dinner and everyone loved it. I got so many compliments.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Yey Kierstyn! Happy it turned out well for you. /Emmeline
Genger White
This was such a great base!! I added cheddar cheese, Parmesan and Monterey Jack cheese to the sauce. Then fried up sausage, onions, and peppers and added some grilled chicken. I also used fat penne pasta! I had to use what I had in hand! So delicious. Thank you for the recipe!!
Jerry Ogden
So you made your own recipe......