Cajun Salmon and Shrimp

Cajun Salmon and Shrimp in a Creamy Spinach Cheese Sauce

If you’re looking for a flavorful, restaurant-quality meal you can make at home in about half an hour, this Cajun Salmon and Shrimp in a Creamy Spinach Cheese Sauce is it. Tender, flaky salmon and juicy shrimp are seasoned with Cajun spices, pan-seared, and finished in a rich, cheesy cream sauce with spinach. It’s bold, comforting, and perfect for dinner any night of the week.

Serve it over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a bed of lettuce.

This post is sponsored by Best Food Facts and the United Soybean Board, all opinions are my own.

I recently got to attend a tour with Best Food Facts to learn all about Aquaculture, and farm raised seafood. We visited the greater Indianapolis area, and got to tour a shrimp farm and a barramundi farm. I learned so much about how farm raised seafood is raised, fed a high protein diet that utilizes soybean meal, and why farm raised seafood is an excellent choice. It was so fascinating to learn about how their diet is calculated, what is done to keep fish healthy, conserve and clean water, and maintain sustainability with the feed conversion ratio.

In this post, I will share how to select farm raised seafood to ensure you get seafood raised with best practices; and I will share an excellent recipe using both shrimp and salmon, for a delicious meal with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Packed with flavor: Cajun spices give the seafood a smoky, zesty kick.
• Creamy and comforting: The cheesy spinach cream sauce balances the spice with richness.
• Versatile: Pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted veggies.

Ingredients

For the Seafood:

• 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
• 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter

For the Creamy Spinach Cheese Sauce:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 Tbs red onion, minced
• 1 Tbs flour
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (optional, for extra heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Seafood

1. Pat salmon fillets and shrimp dry with paper towels. Season both with Cajun seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear salmon, (if skin on, sear skin-side down first), for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Spinach Cheese Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add garlic and shallot. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Sprinkle flour over garlic and onion, and stir.
3. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
5. Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning if desired.

Step 3: Bring It Together

1. Return salmon and shrimp to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the seafood and let simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
2. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Choosing the Best Farm-Raised Shrimp and Salmon

When buying farm-raised shrimp and salmon, look for certifications such as Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) to ensure quality and sustainability. Choose shrimp or salmon that is locally raised when possible. And when not possible look for country of origin and select from countries in South America, as they maintain high standards.

Note: If possible, get your fish and shrimp fresh from local farms. When you can’t get fresh, frozen farm-raised shrimp is a great option—just thaw properly in the fridge before cooking.

How to Store Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to keep the sauce smooth. Avoid microwaving for too long, as it can dry out the seafood.
• Freezing not recommended: The creamy sauce may separate after thawing.

What to Serve With Cajun Salmon and Shrimp

This rich and creamy dish pairs beautifully with:

• Pasta: Fettuccine or penne to soak up the sauce.
• Rice: Jasmine or basmati rice for a hearty base.
• Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, zucchini, or broccoli to add balance.
• Crusty Bread: Perfect for mopping up every last bit of sauce.

Cajun Salmon and Shrimp in a Creamy Spinach Cheese Sauce is the ultimate comfort food with a spicy twist. It’s elegant enough for entertaining but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Once you try it, you’ll have a new favorite seafood recipe in your rotation!

Cajun Salmon and Shrimp

Juicy Cajun salmon and shrimp simmered in a rich spinach cheese sauce. A flavorful, comforting seafood dinner that pairs with pasta, rice, or veggies.

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Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cajun salmon, cajun shrimp, cream sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 687kcal

Author: Rachael

Ingredients

For the Seafood:

• 4 salmon fillets about 6 oz each
• 1/2 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
• 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning store-bought or homemade
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter

For the Creamy Spinach Cheese Sauce:

• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup red onion minced
• 1 Tbsp Flour optional
• 2 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning optional, for extra heat
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Seafood

• Pat salmon fillets and shrimp dry with paper towels. Season both with Cajun seasoning.
• Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Sear salmon, (if skin on, cook skin-side down first), for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
• In the same skillet, cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Spinach Cheese Sauce

• In the same skillet, add garlic and shallot. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Sprinkle with flour if you want a thicker sauce. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
• Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Bring to a simmer.
• Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning if desired.

Step 3: Bring It Together

• Return salmon and shrimp to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the seafood and let simmer for 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
• Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 687kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 199mg | Sodium: 676mg | Potassium: 1151mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4699IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 3mg

Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.

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