One-Pot Crawfish Monica Pasta
Make the easiest, most flavorful Crawfish Monica Pasta with just one pot! This rotini pasta is loaded with flavor, with a creamy sauce and cajun spice.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 pound cajun or andouille sausage (chopped)
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 12 oz crawfish tails
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- 1.5 cups parmesan cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup green onions (chopped)
- ½ cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large, oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, Cajun seasoning, and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant.
- Add the sausage (if using) and cook for 3–5 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Stir in the half-and-half, chicken broth, and dry pasta. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer 6–8 minutes, stirring often, until pasta is al dente.
- Stir in the crawfish tails, lemon juice, half of the parsley, half of the green onions, and ½ cup parmesan cheese until combined.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and broil for 4–6 minutes, until melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
- Garnish with the remaining green onions and parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Use a large, oven-safe pot so you can go straight from the stovetop to the broiler without transferring the pasta.
- Sausage is optional and non-traditional. Skip it for a more classic Crawfish Monica, or use andouille for extra smoky flavor.
- Frozen crawfish tails work well - just thaw and drain them completely before adding so they don’t water down the sauce.
- Add the crawfish at the end since it’s already cooked; overcooking can make it rubbery.
- The sauce may look slightly thin before broiling - it thickens as it finishes in the oven and rests.
- If the sauce is too thick, stir in up to ½ cup milk or cream. If it’s too thin, simmer 1–2 minutes longer before adding cheese.
- Grate your own parmesan for the smoothest melt; pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as cleanly.
- Cajun seasoning varies by brand - taste and adjust seasoning before broiling.
- This recipe makes a ton of food and is best served hot and fresh.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 497kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 19gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 703mgPotassium: 345mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1357IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 203mgIron: 2mg
