Crawfish Monica

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish features a creamy sauce made from heavy cream, parmesan, and cajun seasoning, combined with tender crawfish and pasta. The layers of flavor from the spices and the richness of the sauce make it a comforting, satisfying meal perfect for special occasions or a delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb rotini pasta

• 1 lb crawfish tails (or shrimp as a substitute)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 small shallot, minced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning (Tony Chachere’s or homemade)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Green onions for garnish

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside. Reserve some pasta water for later.

2. Make the Sauce: In a skillet, sauté shallot, bell pepper, and half of the green onions in olive oil and butter until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

3. Add Crawfish and Cream: Add crawfish, heavy cream, parmesan, parsley, and cajun seasoning to the skillet. Stir well and simmer on low until the sauce thickens.

4. Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with some reserved pasta water to help the sauce adhere. Stir to combine.

5. Serve: Garnish with the remaining green onions and serve.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: 30 minutes

Variations

• Vegetarian: Substitute crawfish with mushrooms or another vegetable.

• Spicy: Add more cajun seasoning or a few dashes of hot sauce to increase the heat.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a bit of milk or cream to revive the sauce.

FAQs

Can I use frozen crawfish?

Yes, just make sure to defrost and drain them before using.

Can I freeze this dish?

It’s not recommended to freeze the sauce, as it may separate upon thawing.

What type of pasta is best for this dish?

Rotini works well, but other pasta shapes like penne or fusilli would also work fine.

Conclusion

Crawfish Monica is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for anyone craving a taste of New Orleans. The combination of cajun seasoning, creamy sauce, and succulent crawfish creates a comforting meal that’s sure to impress your guests!

Crawfish Monica

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• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Course, Pasta
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Cajun, Southern

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Description

Crawfish Monica is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender crawfish tails, Cajun spices, and a rich, smooth sauce. This beloved dish from the New Orleans Jazz Fest brings the bold flavors of Louisiana to your kitchen in just 30 minutes! With its indulgent sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and crawfish, it’s a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

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Ingredients

1 lb rotini pasta

1 lb crawfish tails (or shrimp as a substitute)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1 small shallot, minced

1 red bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (Tony Chachere’s or homemade)

Salt and pepper to taste

Green onions for garnish

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Instructions

• Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside. Reserve a bit of pasta water for later.

• Make the Sauce: In a skillet, sauté shallot, bell pepper, and half of the green onions in olive oil and butter until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

• Add Crawfish and Cream: Add crawfish, heavy cream, parmesan, parsley, and Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Stir well and simmer on low until the sauce thickens.

• Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with some reserved pasta water to help the sauce adhere. Stir to combine.

• Serve: Garnish with the remaining green onions and serve hot.

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Notes

Vegetarian: Substitute crawfish with mushrooms or other vegetables.

Spicy: Adjust the Cajun seasoning or add hot sauce to increase the heat level.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little milk or cream to refresh the sauce.