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Rainforest Cafe Pastalaya

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • Pasta:
  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon salt for water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for water
  • Pastalaya:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound andouille sausage sliced ½-inch thick
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 3 celery stalks diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup green onions sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta: Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add olive oil and penne. Cook 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain, rinse briefly, toss with olive oil. Set aside.
  • Brown sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add andouille sausage slices. Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy on edges.
  • Cook shrimp: Push sausage to edges. Add shrimp to center in single layer. Season with pinch Cajun seasoning. Cook 2 minutes per side until pink. Remove sausage and shrimp to plate.
  • Sauté vegetables: Add remaining oil to pan. Add onion, green pepper, red pepper, and celery. Cook 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and onions translucent.
  • Add garlic and spices: Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne, thyme, and oregano. Stir constantly 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add tomatoes: Pour in diced tomatoes with juices, chicken broth, and bay leaves. Stir well, scraping browned bits from bottom. Simmer 5-7 minutes to meld flavors and reduce slightly.
  • Create creamy sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream until sauce becomes creamy and pale orange. Simmer gently 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  • Combine: Add cooked pasta to sauce, tossing to coat. Return sausage and shrimp to pan. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
  • Season: Taste and adjust seasoning with more Cajun seasoning, salt, or cayenne. Remove and discard bay leaves.
  • Garnish and serve: Transfer to serving bowl. Garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve immediately with Parmesan and hot sauce if desired.

Notes

  • Don't Overcook Shrimp: Cook just until pink and opaque—they finish in the sauce
  • Quality Cajun Seasoning: Use Tony Chachere's, Slap Ya Mama, or Zatarain's for authentic flavor
  • Build Flavor Layers: Don't skip browning sausage or properly sautéing vegetables
  • Adjust Heat: Start with less cayenne—you can add more, but can't remove it
  • Al Dente Pasta: Slightly undercooked pasta absorbs sauce and finishes cooking when combined
  • Fresh Herbs Essential: Green onions and parsley add brightness that balances the rich sauce
  • Serve Immediately: Best fresh and hot—pasta absorbs liquid over time
  • Andouille Substitute: Use kielbasa, chorizo, or Italian sausage if andouille unavailable
  • Chicken Option: Replace shrimp with diced chicken—increase cooking time accordingly
  • Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days—add broth or cream when reheating to restore moisture
  • Freezer Friendly: Freeze up to 2 months—cream may separate slightly when thawed
  • Gluten-Free: Use GF pasta and verify that Cajun seasoning and sausage are GF
Calories per serving: 520 calories (based on 8 servings)