How to Make Cajun Pastalaya - A Step-by-Step Guide

Cajun Pastalaya is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines the best of two beloved Louisiana classics - jambalaya and pasta. This unique fusion dish is packed with bold Cajun flavors and hearty ingredients, making it a comforting and satisfying meal for any occasion.

With its roots in Cajun cuisine, Pastalaya is essentially a pasta version of jambalaya, a traditional one-pot dish originating from the French Quarter of New Orleans. Jambalaya typically features a mixture of rice, meats...

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
  • 1 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1 large sweet onion (such as Vidalia®), finely chopped
  • 1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes (such as San Marzano®)
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning (such as Tony Chachere's®)
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (Optional)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
  • 1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ bunch fresh thyme, chopped
  • ½ bunch fresh oregano, chopped
  • ½ bunch fresh basil, chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, or to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 45 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 servings

  • Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook for 2 minutes. Add celery, onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink inside and juices run clear, 5 to 7 minutes more. Add tomatoes, paprika, Creole seasoning, and cayenne pepper; bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Add broth to the pot and return to a simmer. Add penne and simmer for 8 minutes. Add shrimp. Continue to simmer, stirring constantly, until pasta is tender but firm to the bite and shrimp are cooked through, about 7 minutes more.
  • Stir in cream. Stir in thyme, oregano, and basil. Cook until just heated through, 3 to 5 minutes more. Serve topped with green onions and Parmesan cheese.
  • Nutrition

    640 cal.

    • Total Fat: 32g
    • Saturated Fat: 13g
    • Cholesterol: 185mg
    • Sodium: 1218mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 54g
    • Dietary Fiber: 5g
    • Total Sugars: 7g
    • Protein: 37g
    • Vitamin C: 36mg
    • Calcium: 153mg
    • Iron: 6mg
    • Potassium: 746mg