Cajun Sausage and Rice Recipe (One Skillet Dinner)
This one-skillet Cajun sausage and rice is a hearty Southern classic made with smoky sausage, colorful vegetables, and perfectly seasoned rice. Bold, comforting, and ready in under an hour, it’s the ultimate easy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 563kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 14 ounces Cajun sausage, can substitute smoked sausage, or andouille, sliced into ¼ inch coins
- 2 bell peppers, seeded and chopped, any color will work
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 stalks of celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon coarse-ground pepper
- 2⅔ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain rice, rinsed until the water runs clear
- 2 cups frozen peas
- sliced green onions or scallions for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and brown both sides.
- Sauté veggies: Stir in 2 chopped bell peppers, one diced onion, and two diced celery stalks. Cook 6–7 minutes until softened.
- Season: Add three minced garlic cloves, two teaspoons Cajun seasoning, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon oregano, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook 1 minute.
- Simmer: Pour in 2 ⅔ cups chicken broth, 1 ½ cups rinsed rice, and 2 cups frozen peas. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.
- Rest and fluff: Remove from heat, keep covered, and let rest 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, garnish with green onions, and serve warm.
Notes
Don’t skip browning the sausage; the caramelization deepens the flavor of the entire dish.
Rinse rice until the water runs clear to prevent gumminess.
Resist the urge to lift the lid while simmering; trust the process.
Use long-grain rice for the fluffiest results.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing; it gets mushy.
Microwave leftovers with a splash of broth or water to restore moisture or reheat in a covered skillet over low heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 733mg | Potassium: 670mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2502IU | Vitamin C: 87mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 3mg
