Description
Indulge in a restaurant-style dish at home with these Seared Scallops with Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce. Tender scallops are seared to perfection and coated in a creamy, flavorful sauce with a Cajun kick. This dish is elegant yet easy to make, perfect for a special dinner or a date night at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Scallops:
- 1 pound sea scallops, patted dry
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Cajun Cream Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon minced shallots
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Season and Sear the Scallops: Season scallops with salt and pepper. Sear in olive oil until golden on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Cajun Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté shallots and garlic. Add cream, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan.
- Combine and Serve: Return scallops to the pan, coat with sauce, and simmer briefly. Serve garnished with parsley and lemon wedges.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or sautéed spinach.
- Adjust spice level to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 scallops with sauce
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
