Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun Butter and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-05-13

Firm catfish fillets pan-seared to golden perfection, topped with a spicy Cajun butter and served over creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes for a Southern-inspired seafood dish. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, cajun seasoning, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 fillets, 6 oz each catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
• 4 tbsp, divided unsalted butter
• 6 whole garlic cloves
• 2 lbs, peeled and quartered russet potatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp, plus more to taste salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 6 whole garlic cloves on a small baking dish, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and roast for 20 minutes until soft and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, add 2 lbs peeled and quartered russet potatoes to a large pot of salted water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15-18 minutes until fork-tender.
3. Step 3: Drain potatoes and mash with 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, roasted garlic cloves squeezed from skins, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until creamy; keep warm.
4. Step 4: Pat 4 catfish fillets dry and season both sides evenly with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning.
5. Step 5: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming; add catfish fillets and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Remove catfish and set aside; reduce heat to low and add remaining 1 tbsp butter to skillet, stirring to create a spiced butter sauce.
7. Step 7: Plate catfish fillets atop a bed of roasted garlic mashed potatoes and spoon Cajun butter over the fish. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over everything before serving.