Look, I’ll never say no to a bowl of creamy pasta, but though I love them, I’ve gotta admit that sometimes the classics can get a little one-note. If you’re like me, craving the comfort of, say, chicken or shrimp Alfredo, but wanting something more, this is the pasta dish for you. It’s still got that delectable richness from heavy cream and Parm, but a sofrito-type blend of aromatics and Cajun seasoning make it extra flavorful. Make this once, and watch out—you and yours might never settle for plain ol’ Alfredo again.
Building flavor from the ground up:
This recipe is simple (only around 10 ingredients, plus things you probably already have at home), but there is one special step that really makes it: Instead of just sautéing onions, garlic, and peppers whole, I pureed them into a paste, then cooked them down before mixing them with the cream. This helps everything come together more smoothly, which really makes a difference in the final dish. It also means you don’t have to worry about perfect knife cuts—just rough chop your ingredients and chuck them into your food processor or blender!
Change it up:
I love this with shrimp to add even more Cajun vibes (it’s great to mix up your fish fry routine during Lent too!), but this recipe will also work with other proteins like chicken or sausage too. Want it even spicier? Cajun seasonings vary in spice level, with some being relatively subtle, so if you want even more of a kick, try swapping some of your red bell peppers for a spicier option like jalapeños or red chiles.
Storage & make ahead:
Want to get ahead of prep? You can blend and store your onion, peppers, and garlic mixture in the fridge for up to a week ahead of time, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you have any leftovers of the finished dish, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it came out in the comments below!
