Family Dinners: Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe
This Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole is the recipe on my weekly menu most. Everyone around here loves a good cajun flavor combination and I love the ease of a casserole. Being able to make it and skip the step of boiling the pasta is a game changer. You are also going to love the creamy sauce that forms as it bakes. Make this Easy Chicken Casserole today!
Do you love cajun flavor? Try this 15 Minute Andouille & Cheese Grits!
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Easy Cajun Pasta Casserole
For years I have been making this casserole but I always had to boil the pasta first. It was an extra step that I didn’t always have time to do.
Then I tried it with dry pasta and allowed it to cook in the sauce to see what would happen and like magic! I will never boil pasta for a casserole again.
The best part of this casserole however, is just how wonderful it tastes with simple and straightforward ingredients.
Key Ingredients to your Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole
- Chicken-diced and precooked, it is the perfect protein.
- Andouille Sausage-cut into small pieces, it adds heat and great flavor.
- Pasta-added dry, it cooks right inside the casserole.
- Heavy Cream-creates an awesome and creamy sauce.
- Chicken Broth-adds flavor and extra moisture to cook the pasta easily.
- Diced Tomato-a can is the perfect addition for added texture.
- Cajun Seasoning-loaded with lots of spices and easy to add, you can adjust it to your families liking.
- Parmesan Cheese-added at the end, it creates a nice flavor and adds to the sauce.
How to make Cajun Chicken Casserole without Boiling Pasta
- Add dry pasta to the bottom of your prepared 9×13 baking pan. Top with cooked chicken and diced andouille sausage.
- In a bowl combine heavy cream, chicken broth, can of diced tomatoes and cajun seasoning. Mix until all of the ingredients are incorporated and pour over the pasta in the 9×13 dish.
- Stir everything together in the 9×13 dish, trying to be sure that most of the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Cover with foil and place the pan on a baking sheet. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 40 minutes.
After 40 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven. Take off the foil and add 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and to submerge pasta.
Return the cajun chicken pasta casserole to the oven {uncovered} for another 10 minutes or until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened nicely.
Remove the pan from the oven. Top with remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Serve with your favorite garlic bread and salad.
Pasta Casserole Variations to Recipe
There are a lot of ways to change up this recipe and make it your own. Here are a few things that are easy to do and can give great results.
- Use frozen chicken strips instead of boneless chicken pieces. The breading on the chicken strips can add some great texture.
- Try gluten free pasta, there are some great varieties now.
- Add cooked bacon to the casserole itself and/or to the top for some great salty flavor.
- Add shrimp for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. They are a traditional cajun ingredient!
- Put additional vegetables in the casserole. Bell peppers and onions would both be great additions.
What if I don’t have Cajun Seasoning?
If you don’t have cajun seasoning at home and don’t want to purchase any at the store you can easily make it at home with items you already have on hand.
Combine 3 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme in a bowl. Stir to combine and measure out what is needed.
Store leftover homemade cajun seasoning in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 months.
How to Store and Reheat your Pasta Casserole
Store leftover Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole in the refrigerator covered {or in an airtight container} for up to 4 days.
Reheat the entire casserole in the oven {covered with foil} at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or heated through. Or in the microwave reheat individual servings for 1 minute or until heated through.
Do you love making casseroles? Try these awesome recipes…
- Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
- Meatball Sub Casserole
- Teriyaki Chicken Stirfry Casserole
- Chicken Parm Ravioli Bake
- Patty Melt Casserole
- Totcho Casserole
Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 oz farfalle pasta
- ¾ pound chicken {diced and cooked}
- 6 oz andouille sausage {diced}
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1-14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
- ½-1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- salt & pepper {to taste}
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° and spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add dry pasta to the bottom of 9x13 pan and top with cooked chicken and andouille sausage.
- In a bowl combine heavy cream, chicken broth, diced tomatoes and cajun seasoning. Whisk to combine and pour over the top of the pasta and meat. Stir to combine the ingredients.
- Cover pan with foil and place on top of a sheet pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven, take foil off top and add ¼ cup of the parmesan cheese. Return to oven for 10 more minutes or until the pasta is tender.
- After 10 minutes, remove from the oven and stir to combine {it should thicken up}. Top with remaining ¼ cup of parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
