The BEST Pastalaya Recipe (Easy To Prepare In Just 10 Minutes)

This pastalaya recipe combines the best of both worlds; jambalaya and pasta. And, let me tell ya, the combination of the delicious seasonings and perfectly chewy pasta base will have your tastebuds craving more and more with each and every bite. Not to mention, this pastalaya recipe is so easy to make - just 10 minutes of prep work is required to make it!

The Best Pastalaya Recipe

There's nothing better than a big bowl of warm jambalaya. I mean, rich savory meat, hearty vegetables, and classic Creole seasoning, how can you beat that?!

Well, my answer to that is pastalaya.

If you've never had pastalaya - get ready to have your mind blown! Pastalaya is essentially jambalaya pasta - packed with rich cajun seasonings, smoked sausage, hearty vegetables, and of course, pasta.

Jambalaya pasta is so simple, and yet so good. It's a fun twist on a Creole classic - regular ol' jambalaya - except made with pasta instead of rice. So, this great recipe combines everything we know and love about jambalaya, with a little extra satisfaction from the penne pasta. It's seriously the best of both worlds!

By the way, this dish is a one pan pasta recipe so cleanup is an absolute breeze. Literally everything can be assembled in a single large dutch oven or large pot, including your pasta.

Oh, also, for what it's worth, the flavors in this pastalaya recipe pair really well with some simple sides like these air fryer mushrooms, jalapeno poppers, or this cucumber salad.

Ok, now that you know just how great this pastalaya recipe is, let's get into the ingredients.

Ingredients

Ok, so the ingredients in this pasta recipe are pretty simple. And they actually leave lots of room for you to incorporate additional protein, vegetables, or seasonings if you'd like to.

Also, most of these ingredients are common household finds, but if you don't have them, don't worry! They're all easy to find at the grocery store.

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make this pastalaya:

• ½ lbs. Smoked Sausage
• 1 tbsp. Vegetable Oil
• 2 Garlic Cloves, chopped
• 2 cups Frozen Vegetables
• 1 15 oz. can Diced Tomatoes
• 1 tbsp. Creole Seasoning
• ½ tsp. Oregano
• ½ tsp. Smoked Paprika (or cayenne pepper)
• ½ tsp. Thyme
• 1 lb. Penne Pasta
• 2 cups Chicken Broth
• 1 cup Water
• Salt and Black Pepper
• ¼ cup Heavy Cream
• ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup Green Onions, sliced

Now, this might look like a lot, but trust me, making this dish is super simple.

When it comes to your frozen vegetables, you can't go wrong with the common Cajun cuisine veggies like onion, bell pepper, and celery. But if that's not your jam, you can use any seasonal veggies. They'll work just as well in this jambalaya pasta.

As for your smoked sausage, any kind will do. But, if you can find Cajun-seasoned sausage, such as Andouille sausage, it will make your dish extra flavorful. Whatever you decide to use, you can also use it to make this Carrabba's sausage and lentil soup next!

Also, if you want to add some more protein to this dish, you can add chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs, or even shrimp

By the way, if you're interested in more Creole or Cajun recipes like this one with tons of cajun flavors, check out some of my all-time favorites, like this cajun fried rice or this blackened shrimp.

How To Make Pastalaya

Once you get your seasoning blend in order, the cooking process for this jambalaya pasta goes fairly quickly.

As I already mentioned, this pastalaya is a one pot meal, so cooking and cleaning are as easy as it gets.

Step 1: Prep and Sauté The Sausage

First, you're going to start prepping the smoked sausage by cutting it into big chunks or slices.

Next, heat the oil in a non-stick large pot set over medium-high heat and add the sausages to it. Then, cook the sausages until they're golden brown.

Step 2: Cook The Garlic and Vegetables

Next, add the garlic and the frozen veggies to the skillet and cook for 5 more minutes.

Now, add the diced tomatoes, creole spices, all of the cajun seasoning and spices, salt, and pepper to the pot and give everything a mix.

Step 3: Cook The Pasta

Ok, so now you're going to cook the pasta. To do this, add the chicken broth, water, and penne pasta to the pot and season with more salt and pepper. Then, cook the pasta for 12 minutes, or until it's cooked to your liking.

Now, after the pasta cooks, add the heavy cream to the pot and mix well. Finally, let the mixture heat for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Step 4: Serve

Lastly, give the cooked pasta one last mix, then serve on plates with fresh parsley and green onions on top.

Oh, and if you want, you can top it off with some grated parmesan cheese or hot sauce for an added flavor. 

Enjoy!

How To Store Pastalaya

This cajun pastalaya makes about 4 servings. So if you're serving it for a family dinner and want leftovers, you might want to double or triple this recipe.

Then, if you do make extra, you can store the leftover pastalaya in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-5 days.

How To Reheat Pastalaya

This cajun pastalaya is incredible reheated and eaten as leftovers. Honestly, it's also delicious cold too.

Anyway, my favorite way to reheat this pasta recipe is in a pan on the stovetop. It gives the pasta a similar texture to this fried spaghetti - slightly crispy, fried noodles that taste amazing.

So, to reheat it, put your leftovers in a pan with a dash of oil and heat over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes. Then, just stir it occasionally, so everything reheats evenly.

FAQs About This Pastalaya Recipe

Wrapping It All Up

Well, that's how to make pastalaya!

Nothing compares to a home-cooked meal, and this easy pasta recipe is no different.

Honestly, this cajun pastalaya is going to redefine the way you think of family pasta night! With some basic ingredients, you can turn a Cajun classic into a satisfying, super flavorful filling dish.

Everyone is sure to love it, and I have a feeling this fantastic recipe will make its way into your weekly dinner rotation.

Anyway, if you gave this cajun pastalaya a try, leave a comment and let me know how it went! Also, be sure to check out our Youtube channel and Instagram page for more recipes.

More Pasta Recipes

If you want to give some more delicious pasta recipes a try, we have a ton on the blog that you have to make! 

Give one of these a try next: 

• Spicy vodka pasta 
• Chicken pesto pasta
• Jerk chicken pasta
• Cheesecake Factory four cheese pasta
  
• Olive Garden giant cheese stuffed shells

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