Jambalaya Pasta, aka Pastalaya, is a super tasty dish featuring shrimp, chicken and sausage smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce full of Louisiana flavors.
It’s like everyone’s favorite jambalaya, but with pasta instead of rice. How cool!
This is seriously one of the most delicious pasta dishes you will ever eat. Don’t hesitate, start your grocery shopping list now!
As you know by now, we love those Creole and Cajun flavors from Louisiana. Jambalaya is probably the most famous dish from the region.
We’ve cooked the original many times, and have even “soupified” it with our Jambalaya Soup.
Though we had heard of jambalaya pasta, we always assumed it was more of an internet thing than a Louisiana thing. That was until our recent trip to New Orleans, where we saw it on every single menu.
What is Jambalaya Pasta?
Quite simply, it is jambalaya in pasta form… And if you mix the words around you can call it Pastalaya!
If you’re not familiar with jambalaya, it’s a one pot rice dish from Louisiana that is generously seasoned with veggies and Cajun or Creole seasoning. It features some combination of shrimp, chicken and sausage. Think paella, but with different seasonings.
This pasta version has the same base meats and flavors, but replaces the rice with pasta. Unlike the rice version, cream and cheese are also added in.
We also like that it’s quicker than the original. A good conventional jambalaya will take an hour plus, but this is more fit for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients for Jambalaya Pasta
- Meats – shrimp, chicken and sausage. If you’re missing any that’s fine, you can still make a mighty tasty jambalaya pasta even with only one of the meats. Just keep the total amount around 1.5-2 pounds.
- Veggies – onions, bell peppers, canned diced tomatoes.
- Flavor enhancers – garlic, Creole seasoning (see below), Louisiana hot sauce (Crystal or Tabasco, depending on how spicy you want it).
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream – for a lighter dish, you can use half and half.
- Parmesan cheese
- Pasta – we used penne, but any small shapes like rotini or bowties work great, as do fettuccini or linguini.
Creole Seasoning
You can buy store bought Creole seasoning, but as many brands are mostly just salt, we recommend making your own. It just takes a few minutes, and you probably already have all the ingredients. Check out our homemade Creole Seasoning Recipe.
How to Make Jambalaya Pasta
First, get the pasta cooking according to the directions on the package.
Sprinkle a little Creole seaosning on the shrimp and chicken so they can marinate for a few minutes while you’re prepping the other ingredients.
When ready to cook, give the shrimp a quick sear on each side, then remove them to a plate.
Cook the sausage and chicken together. Brown for 5-6 minutes.
Tip: If you want your Pastalaya on the table even quicker, you can substitute raw chicken with diced up rotisserie chicken.
Push the meats to the edge of the pan, then add in the onion, peppers and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, till the veggies start to soften.
Add tomatoes, chicken broth, hot sauce and remaining Creole seasoning. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes.
Stir in the cream and shredded parmesan cheese. Once the cheese melts and the sauce is a uniform consistency, stir back in the shrimp along with the cooked pasta.
Leftovers and Storage
Leftover Jambalaya Pasta refrigerates great in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Simply reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave with a few tablespoons of water.
We don’t recommend freezing it, due to the cream.
So, are you ready to give your pasta some kick? Whip up this easy Jambalaya Pasta, and savor the flavors of Louisiana! When you try it, please leave a star rating and a comment, I love hearing from you!
Jambalaya Pasta, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great Cajun and Creole dishes!
Blackened Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp Creole
Cochon de Lait
Remoulade Sauce
Shrimp Remoulade
Cajun Shrimp Scampi
Grillades and Grits
Yakamein
Jambalaya Pasta (Pastalaya)
Jambalaya Pasta is a super tasty dish featuring shrimp, chicken and sausage smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce full of Louisiana flavors.
Ingredients
- 8oz penne pasta
- 12oz andouille sausage (see note 1)
- 8oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8oz boneless skinless thigh or breast, cut into 1 inch chunks
- 3 tbsp Creole seasoning, divided
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3-4 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 14oz can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Louisiana hot sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (see note 2)
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheesse
Instructions
- Divide 1 tsp of the Creole seasoning between the shrimp and chicken so they can marinate for a few minutes while you’re prepping the other ingredients.
- Cook pasta to your preferred doneness, according to the directions on the package.
- Heat oil in a pot (or very large skillet) over medium high heat. Sear shrimp 1-2 minutes per side, then remove to a plate.
- Add chicken and sausage. Brown 5-6 minutes.
- Push the meats to the edge of the pan, then add in the onion, peppers and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes, until they veggies start to soften.
- Add tomatoes, chicken broth, hot sauce and remaining Creole seasoning. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and shredded parmesan cheese. One the cheese melts and the sauce is a uniform consistency, stir back in the shrimp along with the cooked pasta.
Notes
- If you cannot find andouille sausage at your local supermarket or meat market, substitute any smoked sausage such as kielbasa.
- For a lighter dish, replace with half and half.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 590Total Fat 42gSaturated Fat 17gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 21gCholesterol 206mgSodium 1826mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 3gSugar 5gProtein 34g
Nutrition information calculated by Nutritionix.
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