Blackened Salmon Pasta

Prepare the Salmon: Place salmon fillets on a plate, skin-side down. Brush the flesh side with melted butter. (2 minutes)

Create the Blackening Spice: In a small bowl, combine paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, white pepper, basil, and thyme. Mix well. (3 minutes)

Season the Salmon: Sprinkle the blackening spice evenly over the buttered salmon fillets, gently pressing the spices onto the fish. (2 minutes)

Blacken the Salmon: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat until very hot. Place salmon, flesh-side down, into the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until a dark crust forms. Flip carefully and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Remove to a plate and keep warm. (10 minutes)

Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions, about 11 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. (15 minutes)

Sauté the Vegetables: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are softened and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the pan with a slotted spoon and add them to the bowl with the linguine. (8 minutes)

Create the Cream Sauce: Drain any excess liquid from the saucepan. Add the remaining 6 tablespoons butter to the pan and reduce heat to medium. Stir in half-and-half, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 8-10 minutes. (12 minutes)

Incorporate the Parmesan: Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and thickened. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency. (3 minutes)

Combine: Pour the creamy sauce over the linguine and vegetable mixture. Add the halved tomatoes and toss gently to combine. (2 minutes)

Serve: Serve the pasta in bowls, topped with blackened salmon (skin removed, if desired). Garnish with fresh parsley. (2 minutes)