Creamy Cajun chicken alfredo pasta is an easy dinner you can eat on a busy weeknight! The creamy Cajun alfredo sauce has so much flavor and elevates this 20-minute quick pasta dish with just the right kick of spice! Add your favorite protein like garlic shrimp, andouille sausage, or sliced chicken!
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Why You Should Make This Cajun Alfredo Pasta Recipe
These are the top 5 reasons to make this creamy pasta recipe:
- Lighter & healthier recipe - no heavy cream!
- Super creamy sauce (like our crockpot chicken alfredo) with delicious Cajun spice flavor.
- It has just the right amount of kick that the whole family will enjoy!
- Simple ingredients you probably already have on hand - just like our spaghetti aglio e olio recipe!
- Pairs well with lots of proteins like air-fried shrimp, flat top shrimp, chicken sausage, smoked sausage, or juicy chicken breast.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
Fettuccine is my recommended pasta shape for this cajun alfredo pasta. The broad flat noodles cling to the creamy homemade Alfredo sauce so well!
Butter is also part of the base of the classic alfredo sauce. It provides a savory flavor and buttery texture.
Garlic powder (or use onion powder as a substitute) provides great garlic flavor along with grated or minced garlic cloves.
Cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and milk make the base for the creamy alfredo sauce and are used in place of heavy cream.
Cajun seasoning can be bought pre-made in a seasoning blend. Homemade Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning are good substitutes.
Flour (not shown in the photo above) is an essential part of the roux that helps to keep the sauce together.
Parsley adds a layer of freshness and is served as a garnish to this yummy dish.
How to Make This Cajun Alfredo Pasta
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
Step 1 - Cook Pasta in Salted Water
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, on the al dente side.
Step 2 - Melt Butter and Incorporate Garlic
While the pasta cooks, in a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
Lower to medium heat and add the grated garlic. Stir constantly for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Step 3 -
Add the Cajun seasoning and garlic powder and stir for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Step 4
Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in the milk and Parmesan cheese.
Add the cream cheese and allow it to melt over medium-low heat.
Step 5
Add up to 1 cup of pasta water to the cajun alfredo sauce to thin it. If you are planning on having leftovers, reserve more pasta water for reheating.
Step 6
Turn off the heat, then add cooked pasta to the cream sauce and coat it thoroughly. If you are adding protein, toss that in now.
Top with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Expert Tips
- Add in cooked shrimp or cooked chicken to make cajun shrimp pasta or cajun chicken alfredo pasta.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- If you have leftovers to reheat, reserve an additional cup of pasta water to use during reheating.
- Add some chopped green bell peppers or chopped red bell pepper for some additional flavor and a veggie boost!
- To make the cajun pasta even spicier, add some additional cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Recipe FAQs
Use your favorite Cajun seasoning to spice up Alfredo sauce. It provides great flavor and elevates any Alfredo sauce.
Alfredo pasta pairs so well with many proteins, but chicken and shrimp are two of the most popular. You can make a cajun chicken alfredo recipe or a shrimp alfredo recipe using this recipe that is full of cajun flavors!
Other Easy Pasta Recipes You'll Love!
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Creamy Cajun Alfredo Pasta Recipe - Chili's Inspired
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ⅓ cup milk
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup pasta water add up to 1 cup
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package instructions, on the al dente side.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the minced or grated garlic. Stir constantly for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Stir in the seasonings and flour and mix constantly for 30 seconds.
- Turn the heat to medium-low. Add in the milk and stir. Melt in the Parmesan cheese.
- Stir the cream cheese into the sauce until melted.
- Turn off the heat. Use a pasta fork or pasta spider to move the cooked pasta from the salted pasta water to the pan with sauce. Add up to 1 cup of pasta water and stir the pasta and sauce until well coated.
- Top with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
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Pam McConnell says
What could I use in place of Cajon seasoning? I don't have that on hand. We also don't like super spicy dishes so something not so spicy would be great! Thanks!
Lyndsey Piccolino says
try 1 tbsp chili powder and 1 tsp dried thyme. That will leave the heat out. The dish isn't overly spicy with Cajun seasoning, but it does have a little kick to it.
Allianna says
So so good!
Lyndsey Piccolino says
Thank you!!