Cajun Pastalaya

Description

My own Cajun pastalaya recipe I put together after trying 3 or 4 different local Southern Louisiana recipes. The prep/cook times may be off, as I have never timed myself. Hope y’all enjoy! Serve with crusty bread.

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

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook for 2 minutes. Add celery
  2. onion
  3. bell pepper
  4. and garlic; cook until soft
  5. 5 to 7 minutes. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink inside and juices run clear
  6. 5 to 7 minutes more. Add tomatoes
  7. paprika
  8. Creole seasoning
  9. and cayenne pepper; bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  10. Add broth to the pot and return to a simmer. Add penne and simmer for 8 minutes. Add shrimp. Continue to simmer
  11. stirring constantly
  12. until pasta is tender but firm to the bite and shrimp are cooked through
  13. about 7 minutes more.
  14. Stir in cream. Stir in thyme
  15. oregano
  16. and basil. Cook until just heated through
  17. 3 to 5 minutes more. Serve topped with green onions and Parmesan cheese.

Prep Time: 45 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 8

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