Cajun jambalaya pasta is a crowd favorite at restaurants. Filled with Cajun spice-crusted chicken breast strips, shrimp, andouille sausage, and bell peppers, this dish is smokey, hot, and slightly sweet all at the same time. We have cracked the code to making this pasta dish at home. Feast in this version of Cajun jambalaya pasta recipe for a fun weekend dinner. Complete the menu by pairing it with homemade lemonade for drinks and turtle cheesecake for dessert.
Tips on Making Jambalaya Pasta
Cooking a dish as delicious and hearty as this dish might look intimidating. But trust us, you can easily recreate this easy jambalaya pasta at home by following our easy and straightforward recipe. Now before you head to the kitchen, here are helpful tips on how to make jambalaya pasta that you should know:
- Use flat noodles like linguine or fettuccine because the Cajun pasta sauce sticks to them well. But of course, you can always make it with what’s available like fusilli or penne noodles.
- Make it creamy by adding cooking cream to the sauce.
- Use a cast-iron skillet or a dutch oven in making this dish. They are great for conducting heat and will give the chicken and shrimps a nice sear.
- You can use chicken stock and chicken broth interchangeably. Likewise, you can also switch tomato paste with tomato pasta sauce or puree. Use 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce or puree for every 1 teaspoon of tomato paste.
- Double or triple the recipe for the Cajun spice blend. Kept at room temperature in an airtight container, it will last for 3 months. It’s a great seasoning for burgers, stews, roasts, and soups.
- Can’t find andouille sausage? Any smoked sausage such as kielbasa, chicken sausage, or chorizo will do.
More Spicy Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
Enjoy great conversations over superb meals made with other spicy pasta recipes that you can try making at home:
- Cheesecake Factory Basil Pasta — If you love the flavors of basil, tomatoes, and garlic together, this dish is for you. We made it using spaghetti, but it is just as fresh and aromatic as the original Cheesecake Factory recipe.
- Spicy Tuna Pasta — Here’s one that fits the easy, quick, and affordable categories. You can make it using common pantry ingredients like canned tuna, soy sauce, and chili flakes.
- Chicken Chipotle Pasta — This Mexican-American-inspired pasta dish is loaded with peppers, onion, garlic, and chipotle adobo.
- Spicy Almond Pesto — This recipe is a must-try for pesto lovers out there. The tasty combination of almond butter, sage, and scallions in this pesto pasta will surprise you.
- Spicy Sun Dried Tomato and Broccoli Pasta — This garlicky vegetarian pasta is filled with all things good for you like kalamata olives, goat cheese, chickpeas, and a bunch of tiny broccoli florets.
How To Make Cajun Jambalaya Pasta
This easy jambalaya pasta is a smokey medley of peppers, onions, chicken, sausage, and deveined shrimp seasoned with a special Cajun spice blend then tossed in linguine. Make it in less than 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 4 cups linguini, (from 8 oz dry uncooked linguini), cooked to al dente
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Cajun spice blend, divided
- 2 oz red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 2 oz red onion, sliced into thin strips
- ½ cup andouille sausage, or any smoked sausage, cut into ¼-inch rounds
- ½ cup chicken breast, sliced into 1½-inch long thin strips
- 3 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- ¾ cup chicken stock
- ½ cup heavy cream, optional
- 2 oz roma tomato, diced
- red pepper flakes, to taste
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp green onion, chopped, for garnish
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish
For Cajun Spice Blend:
- 3 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Season the chicken strips with 1 tablespoon of Cajun spice blend.
- Heat up a skillet. Once hot, put olive oil and garlic and saute for 1 minute.
- Add in the remaining Cajun seasoning and saute for another 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add the chicken and sausage and saute until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Add the shrimp, bell pepper, and red onion. Toss to cook evenly.
- Add the tomato paste and let it cook for 1 minute.
- Add the chicken stock and heavy cream, if using. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Adjust the seasoning accordingly.
- Place the cooked pasta in a serving tray or plate. Carefully pour the Cajun sauce over the top. Garnish with parmesan and green onions.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Sugar: 10g
- :
- Calcium: 156mg
- Calories: 1247kcal
- Carbohydrates: 190g
- Cholesterol: 84mg
- Fat: 33g
- Fiber: 11g
- Iron: 6mg
- Monounsaturated Fat: 13g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
- Potassium: 1037mg
- Protein: 47g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 1603mg
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Vitamin A: 3804IU
- Vitamin C: 25mg
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is usually in jambalaya pasta?
Inspired by the original jambalaya dish, jambalaya pasta is usually filled with chicken, smoked pork sausage, and shrimp. It is heavily flavored with Cajun spices and also comes with peppers.
Which is spicier: Cajun or Creole?
Both cuisines are known to have strong flavors from the heavy use of spices and herbs in their seasonings, but Cajun dishes are spicier than Creole. It’s because Cajun spices contain more peppers like sweet paprika, cayenne, and black and white peppers. On the other hand, Creole seasoning is mostly made up of herbs like oregano, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, basil, and dill. Taste the difference by making Creole grillades and grits on another day.
Conclusion
Upgrade your usual tomato pasta sauce with the smoky flavors of the Cajun spices in this recipe. Whether it’s for a weekend dinner or a special Sunday potluck, this Cajun jambalaya pasta will surely satisfy the bellies and taste buds of your guests.Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
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