This One-Pot Pastalaya Jambalaya Is a Family Favorite.
Pasta and Jambalaya is a classic dish that can be made with shrimp, sausage and vegetables. This recipe combines the best of both worlds to create a fresh pasta salad with bold flavors and plenty of protein. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or having leftovers for lunch!
Pasta and Jambalaya
A Cajun dish, Pastalaya Jambalaya is a spicy one that is great for parties. It’s easy to make and will feed a crowd, so it’s perfect for your next get-together.
You’ll need:
1 box of pasta (penne or elbow shaped works best)
3-4 cups chopped bell peppers (mixed colors are pretty)
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups diced onions
Method
- Start with the pasta salad. Cook and drain the pasta, then toss it with olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until cold.
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil over high heat in a large stockpot with a lid on top, then add 1 tablespoon salt and the penne noodles to cook them al dente (that means “toothsome” in Italian). Cook according to package directions until tender but still firm (about 10 minutes), then drain well and set aside until ready to use.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the shrimp until pink on the outside but opaque throughout (about 3 minutes per side). Remove from pan and set aside; wipe out pan if needed before continuing on to step 3 below.
- Add sausage to same pan over medium-high heat; break up into small pieces as you cook until browned all over (about 5 minutes total). Drain excess fat from pan if needed before continuing on to step 4 below.
- Add cooked shrimp back in along with drained pasta salad; mix well so that everything is evenly coated with sauce from saucepan! Serve immediately!
Make the pasta salad
- Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the box
- Drain the pasta, rinse it with cold water, and let it cool down
- Add all of your veggies to a large bowl, along with the drained pasta and cheese cubes (if using)
- Whisk together buttermilk and vinegar until mixture is smooth
- Pour into prepared salad bowls or plates, drizzle over each individual serving before serving
Cook the shrimp and sausage
Cook the shrimp and sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
Mix it all together
Now that you have all your ingredients ready to go, it’s time to mix them together.
Choose a large bowl and take out half of the pasta.
Special Note
This recipe is a great one to make if you’re cooking for a crowd. It can be made ahead of time, and it’s easy enough that even novice cooks will feel confident making it. It’s also the perfect dish to bring to potlucks or backyard barbecues—it travels well, so your food won’t suffer after sitting in a cooler for hours on end (or worse, on your car floor).
For those who prefer seafood over meaty dishes, this is an ideal choice. For those who don’t eat meat at all? Well then this might just be the perfect dish for you!
Cooking Tips
- Use a large pot and saute pan to cook this dish. The pasta will take up a lot of space, so you’ll want to have plenty of room to stir it.
- Make sure that you have enough room in the pan for all of your ingredients. If you don’t, use two saute pans instead of one so that everything can fit comfortably together without taking up too much room on the stovetop.
- Be sure that all of your ingredients are cooked thoroughly before adding them into the large pot with pasta. You don’t want anyone getting sick from undercooked chicken or sausage!
This is a wonderful dish to feed a group.
This dish is a great choice for feeding a group, or making for a party. It’s easy to make, and it’s delicious. Plus, it’s not too expensive—you can prepare this recipe using just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
The Best part?
Pastalaya Jambalaya only takes 30 minutes to prepare! This is a wonderful dish to feed a group. It can be made in advance, and the flavors will improve as it sits for several hours before serving. If you want to serve it warm, just add hot water or broth after mixing everything together. It’s great with some crusty bread on the side!
