Description
Pastalaya is a delicious Cajun one-pot meal that combines the flavors of sausage, chicken, vegetables, and spices with pasta for a comforting and hearty dish. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
Meats:
- 1 lb smoked sausage (sliced)
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a large Dutch oven or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the sausage: Add sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: In the same pan, add chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Remove and set aside with the sausage.
- Sauté vegetables: Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pan and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add remaining ingredients: Return the sausage and chicken to the pan. Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Cook pasta: Stir in uncooked pasta, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12–15 minutes until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Finish and serve: Stir in heavy cream if using, garnish with green onions and parsley before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning to taste.
- This dish can be made creamier with cream or cheese.
- Andouille sausage is traditional but any smoked sausage works.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
