Cajun Pastalya is a spicy pasta based jambalaya with shrimp, chicken, and Andouille sausage. So much flavor in every delicious bite!
Has anyone been watching Top Chef New Orleans? I don’t usually watch Top Chef, but since this season takes place in one of my favorite cities in the world, I’ve been tuning in. It’s made me realize that I miss Emeril since he’s not on the Food Network 24/7 like he used to be. And it’s really put me in the mood for some Creole/Cajun food. There is no food like the food of New Orleans and it is a spice lovers heaven. (Note: This post was originally published October 10, 2013.)
Cajun Pastalaya. What is it? It’s jambalaya made with pasta instead of rice and it’s absolutely delicious. Jambalaya is a Louisianan dish that’s basically a relative to paella. It usually has multiple types of protein. The ones I’ve used are very common- shrimp, chicken , and andouille sausage. Lots of times crawfish are used instead of shrimp.
Great Fusion Recipe
Cajun Pastalaya is the perfect dish to make when you want the flavors of jambalaya, but you’re craving pasta. It’s a great dish to feed a crowd and can easily be doubled or tripled. Pastalaya is a very versatile dish and you can use pretty much any type of pasta. I like to use linguine, but fettucine, penne, shells, or rotini would work well.
Cajun Pastalaya Recipe Tip
You can sub the Andouille sausage with kielbasa, but I really suggest using Andouille if you can get your hands on some. In my opinion, the Andouille sausage is the ingredient that really makes the dish.
More New Orleans-Style Recipes
- Easy Shrimp Creole
- Grillades and Grits
- Seafood Gumbo
- Shrimp Etouffee
- Muffaletta Sandwich
- Slow Cooker Jambalaya
Cajun Pastalaya
Ingredients
- 12 ounces linguine
- 2 tablespoons butter,, divided
- 3/4 pound shrimp
- salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 boneless,, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 3/4 pound Andouille sausage, (about 3 links), cut into thin slices
- 1 medium onion,, diced
- 1/2 cup diced green pepper
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 stalk celery,, diced
- 3 cloves garlic,, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 green onions. sliced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta liquid.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Season shrimp with salt and pepper and add shrimp to skillet. Sauté 2-3 minutes. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to skillet. Cook until no longer pink in the middle, stirring once or twice, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from skillet and place with shrimp.
- Add 1 tablespoon butter and Andouille sausage, onion, green pepper, red pepper, and celery. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, until Andouille is browned and vegetables are softened.
- Add garlic, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme and cook 30 seconds. Then add Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Let simmer 3 minutes.
- Add cream and simmer 3 minutes. Return shrimp and chicken and add cooked pasta plus reserved cooking liquid. Simmer another 2-3 minutes. Check for seasoning and add salt to taste.
- To serve, top with green onions.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve never heard of Jambalaya with pasta, but that’s my kinda meal! I definitely prefer pasta to rice. All these flavors sound incredible!
Oh my, this Cajun Pastalaya looks and sounds incredible! Sounds fantastic with pasta instead of rice and I love all the wonderful flavors in here! Pinning, thanks for sharing Christin 🙂
Um, yum! This looks so delicious! I love the idea for pasta instead of rice. I want this, like, right now! 🙂
Thanks Erin! It’s hard to resist pasta isn’t it?
Looks AMAZING!!!
Thank you Nora!!! 🙂
Looks delicious!
Thanks Matt! Hope you’ve had a great weekend!
oh. my goodness. i’ve never heard of this before but it honestly looks like my PERFECT dish! can’t wait to make this, thank you for sharing!
the hobbit kitchen x
If you try it, I hope you enjoy it Holly!
I’ve been meaning to watch TopChef New Orleans — I’ve only watched the first episode so far. This dish looks fantastic — I love the combination of sausage and shrimp.
You must be like me. I get distracted and forget to watch the few shows that I enjoy! Don’t forget to tune in this week 🙂
Beautiful recipe!
I’ve enver watched Top Chef, but it’s because the Spanish version is otrageous 🙁 I think I’d love the New Orleans one, because it sounds like a wonderful city!
Just like this dish, wow. I looove all the flavors in it. Cajun anything is my favorite!
We don’t have cable so I had no idea that it was set in New Orleans! I totally want to watch now! My grandparents grew up in the french quarter, so that city has a very special place in my heart! Thank you for sharing this gorgeous pastalaya. Looks too good!