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    Home » Dinners » Pork » Cajun Sausage and Rice

    Cajun Sausage and Rice

    Published: May 10, 2022 · Modified: May 10, 2022 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cajun sausage and rice is an easy, one-skillet dinner recipe that's so simple to make! This quick weeknight dinner is ready in under 30 minutes.

    A spoon scooping up Cajun sausage and rice from a skillet.

    Cajun sausage and rice is a simple but delicious weeknight dinner. This easy, one-skillet recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make.

    The recipe is pretty flexible, and there are ingredient notes and tips below to help you change up to the recipe to make it just the way you would like.

    Ingredient 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.
    • Bell pepper: I've suggested colors of bell pepper to use, but you can use any combination of bell peppers that you would like.
    • Celery
    • 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

    Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. 

    Vegetables cooking in a large skillet.

    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.

    Sliced kielbasa and vegetables cooking in a large skillet.

    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. 

    Kielbasa vegetables and tomato paste cooking in a skillet.

    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.

    A black spoon stirring Cajun sausage and rice in a skillet.

    Tips

    Here are some tips to help you make the dish perfectly or to change it up to suit your tastes.

    • 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.
    • 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.

    Storage

    Store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The rice will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored.

    More skillet dinner recipes!

    • Red Beans and Rice Skillet
    • Skillet Chicken Parmesan
    • Skillet Chicken Marsala Recipe
    • Easy One-Skillet Lasagna

    If you’ve tried this Cajun sausage and rice recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can subscribe to receive my latest recipe newsletters or follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for even more delicious food.

    A spoon scooping up Cajun sausage and rice from a skillet.

    Cajun Sausage and Rice

    Easy one-skillet Cajun sausage and rice recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes
    Total Time: 28 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 319kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Equipment

    • Large skillet

    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.
    • Stir in the sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes.
    • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
    • Stir in the tomato paste, and cook, stirring the entire time, for 1 minute.
    • Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the rice.
    • Cover, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Remove from heat.
    • Stir in the Cajun seasoning to taste.
    • Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

    Notes

    • Rice: It's important to use white instant rice. Using brown instant rice or regular rice will alter the cooking times and may alter the amount of broth needed. 
    • Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 599mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1124IU | Vitamin C: 58mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

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    Comments

    1. Amber jarvis

      May 18, 2022 at 1:07 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Kate

        May 18, 2022 at 1:28 pm

        Thank you for sharing your tips!

        Reply

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