Bring bold Cajun flavors to your dinner table with this Cajun Salmon and Shrimp over Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe. Perfectly pan-seared salmon, juicy garlic butter shrimp, silky Cajun Parmesan cream sauce, and buttery mashed potatoes come together for a comforting, restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
πIngredients:
For the Cajun Salmon:
β’ 2 salmon fillets (6β7 oz each), skin-on
β’ 1 tablespoon olive oil
β’ 1 tablespoon butter
β’ 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
β’ Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Cajun Shrimp:
β’ 7 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
β’ 1 tablespoon butter
β’ 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
β’ 1 garlic clove, minced
β’ Fresh lemon juice, to taste
For the Creamy Cajun Parmesan Sauce:
β’ 1 tablespoon butter
β’ 2 garlic cloves, minced
β’ 1 cup heavy cream
β’ 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
β’ 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
β’ Salt and black pepper, to taste
β’ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
For the Creamy Mashed Potatoes:
β’ 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
β’ 3 tablespoons butter
β’ 1/3 cup warm milk or heavy cream
β’ Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
π©βπ³Instructions:
1. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes
Place the potatoes in a large pot of salted water and boil for 15β20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly, then mash with butter and warm milk or cream until smooth and fluffy. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
2. Pan-Sear the Cajun Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon skin-side down and cook for 4β5 minutes until crispy. Flip carefully and cook another 2β3 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.
3. Cook the Garlic Cajun Shrimp
Using the same skillet, melt the butter and sautΓ© the minced garlic until fragrant. Add the shrimp, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, and cook for 1Β½β2 minutes per side until pink and lightly caramelized. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and remove from the pan.
4. Make the Cajun Cream Sauce
Melt the butter in the skillet and sautΓ© the garlic for about 30 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer gently for 2β3 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Cajun seasoning, whisking until the sauce becomes rich, creamy, and smooth. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
5. Assemble and Serve
Spread a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes onto each serving plate. Top with the crispy Cajun salmon and arrange the shrimp alongside. Spoon the warm Cajun Parmesan cream sauce over everything and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy.
β±οΈ Prep Time: 15 minutes
π₯ Cook Time: 30 minutes
β Total Time: 45 minutes
π½οΈ Servings: 2
π₯ Calories: Approximately 780 kcal per serving
πͺ Protein: Approximately 52g per serving
