This Cajun sausage and rice is an easy one-skillet dinner made with kielbasa and simple ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a quick, flavorful weeknight meal that’s perfect for busy nights.
This Cajun sausage and rice is an easy, one-skillet dinner that’s full of flavor and comes together quickly. My kids love red beans and rice, so I came up with this easy dinner made with kielbasa, rice, and Cajun seasoning. It’s a simple meal that cooks in one pan for easy cleanup.
Ready in under 30 minutes, this is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without a lot of work. It’s a reliable, family-friendly dinner that’s easy to make and is always a hit at my house.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- One-skillet dinner for easy cleanup
- Ready in less than 30 minutes
- Made with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
- Bold Cajun flavor without complicated steps
- Hearty and filling for weeknight meals
“Love the ease and simplicity of this recipe! Seems super healthy to me and even my finicky kids love it! Thanks 🙏” – Bryan
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Andouille sausage or kielbasa: Andouille sausage will give more traditional flavor and a bit of kick. Kielbasa can be used for a milder rice dish.
- Bell pepper: I’ve suggested colors of bell pepper to use, but you can use any combination of bell peppers that you would like.
- Onion: White, yellow, or sweet onions all work well in this recipe.
- Garlic: Feel free to add more or less garlic to taste.
- Tomato paste: The tomato paste gives the rice its color and adds flavor.
- Chicken broth: Chicken stock and regular chicken broth will also work.
- Instant rice: It’s important to use (white) instant rice so that it cooks in the time given.
- Cajun seasoning: The recipe calls for Cajun seasoning, but I’ve also used Creole seasoning when making this dish.
- Parsley: The parsley is a garnish, so you can omit it if you prefer, or you can use sliced green onions instead.
How to make Cajun sausage and rice
Here you’ll find instructions and step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.
Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Once the skillet is hot, add the oil and then the peppers, celery, and onion to the now-empty skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until softened.
Step 3: Stir in the sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 5: Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring the entire time , for 1 minute.
Step 6: Add the chicken broth and stir until combined. Bring to a simmer, and stir in the rice.
Step 7: Cover, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
Step 8: Stir in the Cajun seasoning to taste.
Step 9: Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Recipe Tips!
- Heat: To add more heat to the recipe, stir in your favorite hot sauce, like Tabasco, to taste in step 9.
- Doubling: I often double the recipe so the we have leftovers because the recipe reheats well.
- Adjust seasoning at the end: Cajun seasoning blends can vary, so taste and adjust if needed.
Variations
- Vegetarian: To make this recipe vegetarian, use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth. Substitute 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil for the sausage, and add more of the vegetables to help make a more substantial dish.
- Chicken Sausage and Rice: Use chicken sausage in place of the kielbasa
- Spicy Cajun sausage and rice: Add extra Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne for more heat.
- Cheesy Cajun Sausage and Rice: Stir in shredded cheese at the end for a creamy, cheesy version.
- Shrimp and Sausage Cajun Rice: Add shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking for a seafood twist.
Storage
Store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The rice will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored.
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Cajun Sausage and Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 cup diced yellow or green bell pepper
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced white or yellow onion
- 12 ounces andouille sausage or kielbasa sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups instant white rice
- Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once the skillet is hot, add the oil and then the bell peppers, celery, and onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until softened.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 cup diced red bell pepper, 1 cup diced yellow or green bell pepper, 1 cup diced celery, 1 cup diced white or yellow onion
- Stir in the sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes.12 ounces andouille sausage or kielbasa
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.4 cloves garlic
- Stir in the tomato paste, and cook, stirring the entire time, for 1 minute.3 tablespoons tomato paste
- Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the rice.1 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 ¼ cups instant white rice
- Cover, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in the Cajun seasoning to taste.Cajun seasoning
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley.1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Notes
- Andouille sausage or kielbasa: Andouille sausage will give more traditional flavor and a bit of kick. Kielbasa can be used for a milder rice dish.
- Chicken broth: Chicken stock and regular chicken broth will also work.
- Instant rice: It’s important to use (white) instant rice so that it cooks in the time given. Using brown instant rice or regular rice will alter the cooking times and may alter the amount of broth needed.
- Cajun seasoning: The recipe calls for Cajun seasoning, but I’ve also used Creole seasoning when making this dish.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Jason burling says
Can’t wait to try this recipe,since my partner passed away it’s just been myself and my son.Ive been looking for new stuff to try in the slow cooker.Thankyou
Kate says
I’m so sorry for your loss! I haven’t tried this recipe in the slow cooker. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Bryan Mehr says
Love the ease and simplicity of this recipe! Seems super healthy to me and even my finicky kids love it! Thanks 🙏
Kate says
Thank you!
Kathy says
My husband grilled the sausage. I used a pouch of instant brown rice and added some cooked brown rice and a can of petite tomatoes too! Delicious!
Kate says
That sounds delicious!
Renee Keys says
Do you think this could be made ahead for a church pot luck and reheated in a slow cooker on low for a few hours?
Kate says
Hi! Unfortunately, I haven’t tried that to say for certain.
Maleah says
The flavor is delicious! However my rice didn’t cook through all the way, any suggestions?
Kate says
Thanks! You can add additional cooking time if you need to.
Jeanie says
Made it tonight for supper, loved it! Definitely will make again.
Kate says
Thank you!
Kathleen Belk says
We used Slap your Mama hot during the simmer and it’s our new family favorite. So fast and inexpensive!!
Kate says
Thank you! I’ve used Cajun and Creole seasoning with this recipe, and I’ve had good luck with both.
Vicki Knowles says
It’s a very flavorful dish. I’ll make again.😊
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it!
Mary Jane says
Awesome recipe! I’ll double the recipe next time as we had no leftovers.
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad it was a hit!
Amber jarvis says
I make this sometimes,but I add in a can of rinsed kidney beans,and instead of the andoulie I use mild smoked sausage.tge skinnydip one.i use realtree. But it’s very good n different n fast
Kate says
Thank you for sharing your tips!