Give Pasta A Bold Southern-Inspired Upgrade With One Seasoning

Cajun seasoning is the embodiment of Southern cuisine and its comforting essence. A small sprinkle of this extraordinary spice will impart that magic anywhere, even in dishes that don't typically appear on a Southern dining table — starting with those weeknight pasta recipes you already know by heart. A blend of cayenne pepper, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs, Cajun seasoning is the bold, Southern-inspired twist you never knew your pasta needed.

At Tasting Table, recipe developer Jennine Rye's version of a creamy Cajun pasta can be your shortcut to a satisfying, 20-minute dinner. This one-pan dish starts with sauteed chicken and veggies, sprinkled with a couple of tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and a few garlic cloves. These ingredients, along with some penne pasta, are then simmered in a tomato sauce, and finally joined by lemon juice and heavy cream.

Even with a small amount, Cajun seasoning can become a beacon of flavor. As it disperses through the pasta sauce, it laces in a very distinct peppery and earthy intensity. Never too fiery or mouth-tinglingly hot, the spice lends just enough warmth to elevate even the simplest sauces. It even provides a little herbiness, some smoky nuance, and an underlying savoriness that all work in tandem to give your pasta dinner a quintessential Southern heartiness.

Cajun seasoning can go into just about any pasta recipe that calls for a smoky, spicy kick. A creamy, tomato and chicken pasta is a classic choice to upgrade with the seasoning, but that's just one of the many Southern-inspired twists you can give the dish. For example, the meat is often pan-seared or grilled, but you might find Southern fried chicken to be quite an exciting swap. If you're going for a jambalaya-inspired spin, it doesn't get better than substituting andouille sausage for chicken. As for vegetables, you can't go wrong with introducing a mirepoix. Just note that in Cajun cuisine, the sacred mirepoix swaps in bell peppers for carrots, alongside celery and onions.

Equally creamy, yet infinitely less tomato-y, a chicken fettuccine Alfredo pasta offers another perfect base for a Cajun twist. Here, the spice blend's smoky complexity will give the dish an extra layer of dimension, offsetting some of the richness with vibrant zestiness. You can even throw in some Creole seasoning to give it a more intensely herby undertone. Again, andouille sausage is a top protein choice to trade in for chicken, but you might also enjoy spiced or blackened shrimp.

On the mention of shrimp, it might also be worth exploring giving shrimp scampi a Cajun flair. Its garlicky and buttery richness already offers plenty of depth, but why not take flavors to the next level with Cajun seasoning's smoky warmth? A plate of Cajun scampi pasta might just be how you make an ordinary dinner feel like a restaurant-worthy feast — just don't forget a squeeze of lemon juice to complete it.