Blackened Catfish and Cajun Shrimp Spaghetti Plate

This is the kind of Southern seafood plate that delivers a little bit of everything. Spicy blackened catfish, creamy Cajun shrimp spaghetti, buttery garlic bread, and seasoned green beans come together for a hearty dinner worth repeating, packed with bold flavor in every component.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A complete Southern feast. Catfish, shrimp pasta, green beans, and garlic bread all on one plate.
• Bold Cajun seasoning throughout. Every element gets seasoned generously for consistent flavor.
• That creamy Cajun sauce. Rich and smoky, coating the spaghetti, shrimp, and sausage beautifully.
• Great for a hearty family dinner. Serves 4 with generous, satisfying portions.

Ingredients

For the Blackened Catfish

• 4 catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp butter

For the Cajun Shrimp Spaghetti

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 8 oz smoked turkey sausage, sliced
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For the Green Beans

• 1 lb fresh green beans
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp Cajun seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Garlic Bread

• 4 pieces French bread
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

How to Make Blackened Catfish and Cajun Shrimp Spaghetti Plate

1. Cook the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until tender. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.

2. Cook the shrimp and sausage. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, then remove. Add the smoked turkey sausage and cook until browned.

3. Make the Cajun sauce. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in the Parmesan and simmer gently until creamy.

4. Finish the Cajun shrimp spaghetti. Add the spaghetti, shrimp, and smoked turkey sausage to the creamy Cajun sauce. Toss until everything is evenly coated. Add a little reserved pasta water if needed and finish with parsley.

5. Blacken the catfish. Coat the catfish with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the catfish for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply browned and cooked through.

6. Cook the green beans. Cook the green beans until tender but still slightly crisp. Toss with butter, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

7. Make the garlic bread. Combine the melted butter, garlic, and parsley. Brush over the French bread and toast until warm and golden.

8. Build the plate. Serve the blackened catfish alongside a generous portion of Cajun shrimp spaghetti, seasoned green beans, and warm garlic bread. Sprinkle with extra parsley before serving.

Tips for the Best Blackened Catfish and Cajun Shrimp Plate

• Don’t overcook the shrimp in the first step. They’ll be tossed back into the sauce, so a quick 1 to 2 minutes per side is enough.
• Get the skillet hot for the catfish. A good sear is what creates that deeply blackened, flavorful crust.
• Keep the green beans slightly crisp. Pulling them from the heat while they still have some bite keeps the texture interesting.
• Save the pasta water. A splash helps loosen the Cajun sauce if it thickens too much.

What to Serve with Blackened Catfish and Cajun Shrimp

This plate is already a complete Southern-style meal with pasta, vegetables, and bread included, making it a satisfying dinner on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions