Name: Delicious Pappadeaux Mardi Gras Pasta for Cajun Lovers Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast; 1 pound Shrimp; 8 ounces Andouille Sausage; 1 cup Bell Peppers (mixed colors or one color); 1 small Red Onion; 3 cloves Garlic (minced); 12 ounces Penne Pasta; 1 cup Heavy Cream; 1 cup Parmesan Cheese; 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning; 2 tablespoons Olive Oil; Salt to taste; Pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons Chopped Parsley

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

Delicious Pappadeaux Mardi Gras Pasta is a vibrant and hearty dish perfect for Cajun lovers craving bold flavors. Packed with chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage, this creamy pasta brings the spirit of Mardi Gras right to your dinner table.

A white bowl filled with creamy yellow pasta penne mixed with light brown cooked sausage slices and light orange shrimp, all coated in a smooth cream sauce. There are scattered pieces of mushrooms with a soft beige color and tiny bright green chopped parsley sprinkled on top. The dish has a thick, rich texture with visible black pepper specks. The background shows a warm, blurred setting with a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

12 ounces Penne Pasta (Feel free to swap with fusilli or rigatoni.)
1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (Can be replaced with turkey or omitted.)
1 pound Shrimp (Consider scallops as an alternative.)
8 ounces Andouille Sausage (Try chorizo or kielbasa for different flavors.)
1 cup Bell Peppers (Mixed colors or one color.)
1 small Red Onion (Can substitute yellow onion.)
3 cloves Garlic (Minced; substitute with garlic powder if needed.)
1 cup Heavy Cream (For richness; can use half-and-half.)
1 cup Parmesan Cheese (Can use Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast.)
2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (Adjust to your spice preference.)
2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For sautéing the proteins.)
Salt to taste (Crucial for enhancing flavors.)
Pepper to taste (Crucial for enhancing flavors.)
2 tablespoons Chopped Parsley (Adds fresh color and flavor.)

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
Step 4: Add a little more olive oil to the skillet, then sauté the sausage for about 2 minutes. Add the bell peppers, onion, and garlic, cooking until tender, approximately 4 minutes.
Step 5: Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Return the chicken, shrimp, and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together and heat through for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors.
Step 7: Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately, either plated or family style.

Tips & Variations

Use fusilli or rigatoni in place of penne for a different pasta texture.
Swap chicken for turkey or skip it entirely for a seafood-focused dish.
Try chorizo or kielbasa instead of andouille sausage to vary the flavor profile.
For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
Adjust Cajun seasoning according to your preferred spice level to make it milder or hotter.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened. Avoid microwaving straight from the fridge to maintain the sauce’s creamy texture.

How to Serve

The dish is a creamy pasta served on a white plate, with three main layers visible: the penne pasta on the bottom that is pale yellow and smooth, a thick creamy sauce covering the pasta with a light beige color and a rich texture, and on top, browned shrimp that are curled and slightly translucent with a pink-orange hue along with cubes of browned meat that have a crispy exterior. The whole dish is garnished with small green herb pieces scattered around, and the creamy sauce glistens under the light. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, you can omit the chicken, shrimp, and sausage and add more vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach. Use vegetable broth and adjust seasonings for extra flavor.

Is it possible to prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can cook the proteins and pasta separately in advance and store them in the fridge. Reheat and combine everything with the sauce just before serving to keep the flavors fresh and the textures perfect.