The Best Cajun Pasta Recipe-7 Ways
A creamy, delicious, and nutritious Cajun Pasta recipe that will be a crowd favorite no matter where you take it. This recipe is so versatile, you can make it with smoked sausage, chicken, shrimp, or any combination of the 3 (totaling 7 different ways to enjoy this Cajun Pasta).
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp butter
- 5 tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups milk
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepperjack cheese you can sub mozzarella if you want it less spicy
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese to top it with
- 14 oz diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained
- 1.5-3 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 10-12 servings penne or rotini pasta
- 2 lb total meat (smoked sausage links, shrimp, chicken, or any combo)
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced optional
- fresh parsley, chopped optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- If using sausage, slice into thin slices and brown in a skillet over medium heat. If using shrimp, season shrimp with Cajun seasoning and cook in a skillet over medium heat until pink (do not over cook). If using chicken, season chicken with Cajun seasoning and sear in a skillet over medium high heat until internal temperature reaches 165°.
- Cook pasta according to package directions and drain
- In a sauce pan, melt butter on medium-low heat
- Whisk in the flour and continue to whisk to form a roux
- Slowly add heavy cream while whisking until it starts to thicken
- While continuing to whish, slowly add the milk and continue whisking while it starts to bubble
- Add Cajun seasoning and whisk
- Add the cream cheese and stir or whisk until it is completely incorporated
- Stir in shredded parmesan and pepperjack (or mozzarella) cheese until melted
- Stir in diced tomatoes and green chiles
- Mix together pasta, sauce, and meat
- Add it all to a large baking dish (if you have something slightly bigger than a 9x13, that will work best)
- Top with remaining cup of mozzarella cheese
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly
- Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions and enjoy!
Notes
Don't be afraid to throw a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach in the sauce! It's such an easy way to sneak some extra greens in.