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