🦞🍝 Cajun Butter Lobster Tail with Creamy Garlic Pasta & Roasted Asparagus 💥🌿
📖 Description
Treat yourself like royalty with this stunning, flavor-packed dish. Sweet, succulent lobster tails basted in spiced Cajun garlic butter, paired with silky, creamy pappardelle pasta, and balanced by roasted asparagus for a pop of green. Whether it’s date night, celebration dinner, or a “because-I-deserve-it” meal, this dish hits every indulgent note. 🥂
📌 Ingredients
🔥 For the Lobster Tails:
- 2 lobster tails, split down the top
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Paprika (for dusting)
🍝 For the Creamy Cajun Pasta:
- 8 oz pappardelle or fettuccine
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: splash of pasta water (for consistency)
- Extra Cajun seasoning & parsley (for garnish)
🌿 For the Roasted Asparagus:
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Asparagus:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 12–15 minutes, until crisp-tender and lightly browned.
2. Cook the Pasta:
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions.
- Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
3. Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce:
- In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Sauté garlic until fragrant (1 min).
- Add cream, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan until melted.
- Add pasta and toss gently. Use pasta water to loosen if needed.
4. Prepare the Lobster:
- Preheat broiler to high.
- Mix butter, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and lemon juice.
- Place split lobster tails on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush generously with butter mix.
- Sprinkle lightly with paprika.
- Broil 5–7 minutes, basting once more halfway through. Lobster is done when opaque and slightly browned on top.
5. Assemble & Serve:
- Plate the pasta with a lobster tail on the side, and a handful of roasted asparagus.
- Spoon extra Cajun butter over lobster. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Cajun spice.
👩🍳 Chef’s Notes & Tips
- Butter Hack: Use clarified butter for extra richness and less wateriness.
- Spice Level: Adjust Cajun seasoning or add cayenne for heat.
- Lobster Tip: Use kitchen shears to butterfly the shell and lift the meat slightly for that classic presentation.
- Make It Surf & Turf: Add a seared steak or pan-fried scallops for a next-level dinner.
🍽️ Servings
- Serves 2 lavishly
- Can be doubled or tripled for guests or a date-night dinner party
🥗 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, Approximate)
- Calories: 750–850
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 55g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sodium: ~900mg
Exact values vary based on lobster size, cheese, and pasta type
🌿 Health Benefits
- Lobster: Lean protein, zinc, B12 & selenium for immune and brain health
- Asparagus: High in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin K
- Garlic: Natural anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy
- Balanced Plate: Protein, healthy fat, and greens in one indulgent dish
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I use frozen lobster tails?
A: Yes! Just thaw completely in the fridge overnight or in cold water for 30–40 min before cooking.
Q: What’s a good pasta substitute?
A: Tagliatelle, linguine, or even penne work beautifully.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: You can swap cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free cheese, though the flavor will shift slightly.
Q: How do I know the lobster is done?
A: It turns opaque and firm, and the shell becomes bright red. Overcooking makes it rubbery, so watch closely.
Q: Can I prep anything ahead of time?
A: Yes — make the pasta sauce and roast the asparagus ahead. Lobster is best cooked fresh, but you can prep the garlic butter early.
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