Cajun Sausage and Rice

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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