Jambalaya Pasta

Jambalaya Pasta is a delightful twist on the classic Creole dish, bringing together the vibrant flavors of Cajun cuisine and pasta in one hearty meal. This one-pot dish combines shrimp, chicken, sausage, and colorful vegetables, making it not only delicious but also visually appealing. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends, this recipe is sure to impress!

Why Make This Recipe

Making Jambalaya Pasta is a fantastic way to enjoy a flavorful dish without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s easy to prepare, and you can customize it to suit your taste. The combination of proteins and spices creates a satisfying meal that warm you up. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce more variety to your weekday meals!

How to Make Jambalaya Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 6 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided
• 12-14 large shrimp (31/35 count per pound), peeled (around 6 ounces shrimp)
• 2 medium chicken breasts, diced into ¾ inch pieces (around 12 ounces)
• 2 andouille sausage links, sliced (around 6 ounces)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• ½ large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• ½ large green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can of diced tomatoes
• ⅔ cup chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

1. Cook the pasta in salted water until 1-2 minutes short of al dente based on the package directions. Drain the pasta. Do not rinse the pasta.
2. While the pasta is cooking, season the shrimp with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and set aside.
3. Season the chicken with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning and set aside.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
5. Drop the shrimp into the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
6. Add another 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and brown the chicken on all sides until almost cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
7. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and brown the sausage slices on both sides for 1-2 minutes.
8. Add the onion and bell peppers to the pan with the sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables soften.
9. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until fragrant.
10. Add the canned tomatoes, chicken broth, remaining Cajun seasoning, thyme, oregano, cooked pasta, and cooked chicken to the pan and bring to a gentle boil.
11. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the pasta is tender.
12. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp are heated through.
13. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy!

How to Serve Jambalaya Pasta

Serve Jambalaya Pasta hot, and consider garnishing it with some chopped parsley or green onions for added freshness. This dish pairs well with a side salad or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

How to Store Jambalaya Pasta

To store Jambalaya Pasta, let it cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to store it longer, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Just reheat it thoroughly before serving.

Tips to Make Jambalaya Pasta

• Feel free to adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your taste.
• You can use other types of pasta like fusilli or spaghetti if you prefer.
• For extra flavor, try adding some diced celery or green onions to the mix.
• Always ensure your seafood is fresh for the best taste.

Variation

You can customize this Jambalaya Pasta by adding other proteins like crawfish, scallops, or even using tofu for a vegetarian option. Additionally, you can use different vegetables according to what you have on hand.

FAQs

Q1: Can I make Jambalaya Pasta in advance?
A1: Yes, you can make it a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just reheat before serving.

Q2: What if I don’t have andouille sausage?
A2: You can use any smoked sausage or kielbasa instead, or even omit it for a lighter dish.

Q3: How spicy is Jambalaya Pasta?
A3: The spice level depends on the Cajun seasoning used. You can choose a mild version or adjust the amount to control the heat.

Jambalaya Pasta

A delightful twist on the classic Creole dish, Jambalaya Pasta combines shrimp, chicken, sausage, and colorful vegetables for a hearty, flavorful meal.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Cajun, Creole

Servings 4 servings

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

  

Pasta and Seasoning

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 6 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided

Proteins

• 12-14 large shrimp (31/35 count per pound), peeled (around 6 ounces shrimp)
• 2 medium chicken breasts, diced into ¾ inch pieces (around 12 ounces)
• 2 links andouille sausage, sliced (around 6 ounces)

Vegetables

• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• ½ large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• ½ large green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Spices

• 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
• ⅔ cup chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

Cooking Oil

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Cook the pasta in salted water until 1-2 minutes short of al dente based on the package directions. Drain the pasta. Do not rinse the pasta.
• While the pasta is cooking, season the shrimp with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and set aside.
• Season the chicken with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning and set aside.

Cooking

• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Drop the shrimp into the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
• Add another 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and brown the chicken on all sides until almost cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and brown the sausage slices on both sides for 1-2 minutes.
• Add the onion and bell peppers to the pan with the sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables soften.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until fragrant.
• Add the canned tomatoes, chicken broth, remaining Cajun seasoning, thyme, oregano, cooked pasta, and cooked chicken to the pan and bring to a gentle boil.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the pasta is tender.
• Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp are heated through.

Serving

• Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your taste. You can use other types of pasta like fusilli or spaghetti if you prefer. For extra flavor, try adding some diced celery or green onions to the mix. Always ensure your seafood is fresh for the best taste.

Keyword Family Dinner, Jambalaya, one-pot meal, Pasta, Seafood