Description
Pastalaya is a flavorful one-pot dish combining smoked sausage, a blend of seasoned vegetables, diced tomatoes, and penne pasta in a rich, Creole-spiced broth. This hearty meal is easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Oil
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 lb smoked sausage (preferably Andouille)
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 10oz bag frozen seasoning mix (onion, bell pepper, celery)
- 1 15oz can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 Tbsp Creole seasoning
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- Freshly cracked pepper (about 20 cranks)
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tbsp half and half or cream
Pasta and Garnishes
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1/2 bunch fresh parsley
- 1/2 bunch green onions
Instructions
- Prepare Sausage: Slice the smoked sausage into thin rounds and halve any large pieces. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook the sausage until well browned, about 5 minutes.
- Sauté Aromatics: Mince the garlic cloves and add to the pot. Sauté for one minute until fragrant. Add the frozen seasoning mix and cook until heated through, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Liquids: Stir in the diced tomatoes with juices, Creole seasoning, oregano, smoked paprika, thyme, and freshly cracked pepper. Add the chicken broth and water, stirring thoroughly to combine.
- Cook Pasta: Add the penne pasta to the pot and stir. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, stir briefly, replace the lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12 minutes until pasta is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If the mixture is too soupy after 8 minutes, simmer uncovered for the last few minutes to thicken.
- Prep Garnishes: While the pasta simmers, chop the parsley and slice green onions.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat. Stir in the half and half or cream and most of the parsley and green onions, reserving some for garnish. Serve hot, sprinkled with remaining greens.
Notes
- The 'seasoning mix' is a frozen blend of onion, bell pepper, and celery known as the 'trinity.' Fresh alternatives are one yellow onion, one green bell pepper, and two stalks of celery, finely chopped.
- Creole seasoning is available at most grocery stores; homemade blends may require additional salt to taste, as store-bought blends tend to be saltier.
- Stirring occasionally during simmering prevents pasta from sticking and ensures even cooking.
- Adjust the amount of liquid if needed for thicker or thinner consistency; the sauce should be slightly thick with a bit of sauce at the bottom.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream with coconut milk or omit entirely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 472 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 715 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
