Mardi Gras is honestly the best! It’s all about good vibes, great food, and fun times. You’ve got music, costumes, and of course, mouthwatering dishes like jambalaya and King Cake. And to make it even easier, I’ve got a Mardi Gras menu plan with a shopping list ready, so you can focus on the fun and skip the stress!
Why you NEED a Mardi Gras Menu Plan!
Less Stress, More Fun: Trust me, having a Mardi Gras menu plan means you can forget about stressing over what to cook and just enjoy the party with your friends!
GOOD FOOD: Mardi Gras food is packed with some of the best flavors you’ll find all year! This menu plan has the best of the best.
Easy Peasy Shopping: The best part? It comes with a shopping list, so you can grab everything in one trip and avoid the chaos of last-minute runs!
Mardi Gras Party Planning MADE EASY
Mardi Gras is a fun celebration with parades, costumes, music, and yummy food! It’s the perfect chance to enjoy spicy dishes, sweet treats like King Cake, and have a great time with friends. A Mardi Gras menu made for you means no stress over what to cook—just more time to enjoy the party! Plus, it’s all laid out with a handy shopping list to make your life as easy as possible.
I have included 6 different menu items for your Mardi Gras party! If you make all of them, you should be about to feed at least 6-8 adults! Stick to the shopping list that I have provided and you don’t even need to figure anything out. It’s so easy!
Slow Cooker Jambalaya
4.60 from 116 votes
Slow Cooker Jambalaya with andouille sausage, chicken and shrimp cooked low and slow with bold spices and vegetables with just 10 minutes of prep.
Crispy on the outside and perfectly tender inside, Boudin Balls are a Cajun classic! A seasoned mixture of sausage, veggies, and rice is formed into balls, then breaded and fried until deliciously crisp and golden.
Dirty rice is packed with Cajun flavor and the texture is to die for! It has the most amazing blend of delicious spices, meats, and rice that will definitely be something that your family will go crazy for!
Southern Hush Puppiesare golf ball sized, light and flakey cornmeal dough that is fried golden brown on the outside and soft on the inside served as a side dish to any southern meal. These hush puppies are ready in minutes!
King cake is a colorful and festive dessert for Mardi Gras celebrations! With its gorgeous swirl of purple, green and gold icing, this sweet and soft cake is a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned king cake aficionado or a newcomer to this sugary delight, there's no denying its irresistible charm!
Best Beignets Recipeis a light, fluffy French doughnut that are cut into squares and puffed up when fried in oil then sprinkled with powdered sugar or dipped in chocolate syrup. The Best breakfast to wake up to!
Mardi Gras is SUCH a fun holiday to celebrate! But save yourself some time by using this meal plan and FREE shopping list! I’ve included everything that you need!
Meal Planning with Leftovers
You might have extras from this Mardi Gras menu plan because it’s a lot of food! But leftovers are the best! If you do have leftovers, make sure to store them properly in an airtight container in your fridge.
Spice up your appetizer game with Cajun Crab Dip! Packed with tender crab meat, bold Cajun seasoning, and a luscious, creamy base. This dip is irresistibly rich and full of flavor. Serve this at your next gathering with your favorite crispy crackers!
Reason You’ll Love This Recipe
Bold & Flavorful: You will love the combination of cajun spices, creaminess, and flaky crab for the perfect kick.
Quick & Easy: Simple ingredients and just 5 minutes of prep make this Cajun crab dip a breeze to whip up.
This cajun crab dip recipe is one of the easiest dips you can make! With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a creamy, flavorful, perfect appetizer ready in no time. Simply mix everything together and serve! You can even make it ahead of time and let it chill until your event!
Make the Creamy Base: Add the cream cheese, mayo, and sour cream to a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth.
Mix in the Flavorings: Add the green onion, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce and mix until combined.
Stir in the Crab and Serve: Add the drained crab and mix until combined. Taste and add more Cajun seasoning or hot sauce if you want it spicier and to your preference. Transfer to a serving bowl, then serve with your choice of crackers or crusty bread.
Cajun Crab Dip Tips and Variations
This delicious seafood dip is super easy to switch up and make it how you like. Here are some ideas to get you started.
UseRoom Temp Cream Cheese! I highly recommend you use room-temperature cream cheese for the smoothest, creamiest dip. I like to set it on the counter for up to 2 hours before I prepare the dip to allow it to soften.
How well do I need to drain the crab? Drain the crab very well! Otherwise, the dip may end up soupy. I used the lid of the can to press down on the crab while it was still in the can until no more liquid would come out. If it’s still dripping liquid when you squeeze it, it’s not drained well enough!
Can I Use Imitation Crab Meat? You can substitute canned crab for imitation crab if you would like! Shred it well, chop it into fine pieces, and use it in place of the canned crab.
Make it spicy! Add more hot sauce to spice up the cajun crab dip to your liking.
How to Store Leftover Crab Dip
Cajun crab dip stores beautifully, making it perfect for enjoying over several days. The flavors meld together even more over time, so this easy appetizer will taste even better the next day!
In the Refrigerator: Store in the fridge in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to 5 days.
Make Ahead: You can prepare this cajun crab dip beforehand, as long as it is served and discarded after the 5th day.
More Easy Dip Recipes
If you love how simple and delicious cajun crab dip is, you’ll definitely want to try my other favorite easy dip recipes! These are perfect for parties, game days, or just snacking at home. Here are a few more to try next!
Spice up your appetizer game with Cajun Crab Dip! Packed with tender crab meat, bold Cajun seasoning, and a luscious, creamy base, this dip is irresistibly rich and full of flavor. Serve this at your next gathering with your favorite crispy crackers!
Stanley Tucci pasta casserole is everything you want in a casserole. It’s simple to make and incredibly flavorful! TikTok is going crazy over the crispy bacon, tender peas, and the cheesy, creamy sauce that holds everything together!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy to Make: This is the perfect recipe to throw together when you haven’t planned ahead for dinner. All you need is 20 minutes of prep and 25 minutes in the oven, and dinner is served!
Stanley Tucci! He is one of my favorite actors who loves food and is passionate about Italian, at-home recipes. You know everything he makes is going to be amazing!
Not all viral recipes are worth making. I always trust that whatever Stanley Tucci makes is going to be delicious. He always shares recipes I can make with items I already have at home that taste amazing. I’m also confident my kids will enjoy it as well! Here is a link to his viral casserole on TikTok.
Ingredients Needed
How to Make Stanley Tucci Pasta Casserole
I love Stanley Tucci for so many reasons! I especially love that he shares his incredible recipes with the world, and they taste amazing! His version is a little fancier than what I know my family will eat. So, I made some changes to make it more accessible and kid friendly for you!
Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 x 13 x 2-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, then set aside. Add the cooked al dente pasta and bacon to a large bowl and set aside.
Saute Vegetables: Add 2 tablespoons butter to a medium skillet and melt over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes before adding the garlic and peas. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Mix: Remove the onion mixture from the heat and add it to the bowl with the pasta. Add the alfredo sauce and stir until everything is evenly combined.
Bake: Transfer to the prepared baking dish and top with the parmesan cheese. Bake for 15- 20 minutes or until heated through and the cheese on top is nicely browned. Garnish your casserole with chopped parsley and serve.
Stanley Tucci Casserole Tips and Variations
Stanley Tucci put this delicious dish together for brunch one morning and put it on TikTok. Everyone went nuts over it, and I see why. Here are some tips and variations you can use to make this your own.
Can I use Pancetta? Stanley uses pancetta in his casserole, but I used bacon because it’s what I had on hand. If you have pancetta, go ahead and use it!
Do I have to use peas? Change up the vegetable to use up whatever leftover veggies you have on hand! Chopped asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, or broccoli would be delicious.
What kind of pasta should I use? You can use almost any kind of cooked pasta in this casserole. It doesn’t have to be farfalle.
Stanley Tucci Pasta Casserole Leftover Instructions
This is a great recipe to reheat the next day. It’s also easy for the kids to warm up a serving when they get home from school.
Fridge: Store leftover Stanley Tucci pasta casserole in the fridge in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap for up to 5 days.
Reheating Instructions: Reheat in the microwave 30-60 seconds at a time until steaming, or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes until heated through.
Make Ahead Instructions: You can prepare this through step 4 up to 24 hours in advance. Bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time to ensure it is fully heated through.
Perfect Pasta Casserole Recipes
Pasta casseroles are my go to recipes! They are easy to make, feed a crowd, don’t break the bank, and are typically kid approved! Here are a few pasta casserole recipes for you to try.
Stanley Tucci pasta casserole is everything you want in a casserole. TikTok is going crazy over the crispy bacon, tender peas, and the creamy, cheesy sauce that holds everything together!
CourseDinner, entree, Main Course
CuisineAmerican, Italian American
KeywordBacon and Peas pasta, Easy Casserole, easy dinner, Kid-friendly, Stanley Tucci Pasta, Stanley Tucci Pasta Casserole, Stanley Tucci Pasta Casserole Recipe
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Add 16 ounces cooked Farfalle pasta and 1 pound cooked and crumbled bacon, to a large bowl and set aside.
Add 2 tablespoons salted butter to a medium skillet and melt over medium heat. Add 1 ½ cups diced onion and cook for 2 minutes before adding 3 teaspoons minced garlic and 1 ½ cups thawed frozen peas. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Remove the onion mixture from the heat and add it to the bowl with the pasta. Add 16 ounces alfredo sauce, and mix until everything is evenly combined.
Transfer to the prepared baking dish and top with ½ cup grated parmesan. Bake for 15- 20 minutes or until heated through and the cheese on top is nicely browned. Garnish with chopped parsley,and serve.
These red velvet crinkle cookies bring all the charm of classic red velvet cake in a festive, crackly cookie . With a soft center, crisp edges, and a snowy sugar coating, they’re as delicious as they are eye-catching. What Makes These Santa’s Favorites Sweet Snowy Magic: Rolling these in granulated sugar before the powdered sugar gives you the snowiest crinkle cookies ever! Cake Meets Cookie: All the rich cocoa flavor of red velvet cake , but in a soft cookie with chewy edges and a melt-in-your-mouth center. Holiday Showstoppers: Their bold red color and crackly tops make them the star of any cookie tray. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Ingredients Red Food Coloring: Gel or paste food coloring gives the brightest, most vibrant red without adding too much liquid. Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened, high-quality cocoa for rich chocolate flavor. How to Make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies If you love classic chocolate crinkle cookies or festive gi...
