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Cajun Three-Cheese Crawfish & Andouille Macaroni

Cajun Three-Cheese Crawfish & Andouille Macaroni

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  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Cajun Three-Cheese Crawfish & Andouille Macaroni is the ultimate comfort food, packed with Louisiana flavors. A creamy, cheesy pasta dish with spicy andouille sausage and tender crawfish tails, all baked to perfection. Perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations or a cozy high-protein dinner.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb dry cavatappi pasta
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced
  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups half-and-half cream (room temperature)
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (e.g., Tony Chachere’s Original)
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 8 oz Gruyère cheese, freshly shredded
  • 8 oz Gouda cheese, freshly shredded
  • 8 oz extra-sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water (more if needed)
  • 12 oz crawfish tails, cooked, cleaned & peeled
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, minced (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  • Preheat & Prep:

    • Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
    • Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Cook the Pasta:

    • Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil.
    • Add 1 tbsp kosher salt and cook the pasta 2 minutes less than al dente.
    • Before draining, reserve 2 cups of pasta water (you’ll use at least 1 cup).
    • Drain the pasta and set aside.
  • Cook the Sausage:

    • Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
    • Add sliced andouille sausage and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
  • Make the Roux & Sauce:

    • In the same Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
    • Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
    • Whisk in flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
    • Slowly whisk in half-and-half, scraping up any browned bits.
    • Add Dijon mustard and Cajun seasoning, whisking until smooth.
    • Reduce heat to low and stir in 4 oz each of Gruyère, Gouda, and cheddar until melted.
    • Gradually whisk in reserved pasta water, ½ cup at a time, until the sauce reaches a smooth consistency.
  • Combine Ingredients:

    • In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, andouille sausage, and crawfish tails.
    • Pour in the cheese sauce and mix well.
  • Assemble & Bake:

    • Layer half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish.
    • Sprinkle 2 oz each of Gruyère, Gouda, and cheddar over the top.
    • Add the remaining pasta mixture and sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top.
    • Bake for 25-30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
  • Serve & Enjoy:

    • Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
    • Garnish with fresh parsley (optional).

Notes

  • Cajun Seasoning: Use Tony Chachere’s or any Creole seasoning.
  • Crawfish: Pre-cooked and peeled frozen crawfish tails work best.
  • Leftovers: Store extra pasta water to reheat leftovers without drying them out.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 984 kcal
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 1350 mg
  • Fat: 58g
  • Saturated Fat: 30g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 25g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 70g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 45g
  • Cholesterol: 160mg