Craving a flavorful, comforting meal that comes together in one pan and perfumes your kitchen with irresistible southern aromas? This Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe delivers all that and more! It’s packed with savory smoked sausage, tender vegetables, perfectly seasoned rice, and the bold Cajun spices that turn a quick weeknight dinner into a celebration. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a hearty skillet dish that’s big on taste but wonderfully fuss-free!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed how such a simple round-up of everyday ingredients can transform into a meal that tastes like it simmered for hours. Every item here adds its own special dash of flavor, color, or texture, coming together for the ultimate Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe.
- Olive oil: This is your flavor base, helping the sausage and veggies sizzle and soak up extra richness.
- Smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa): Pick your favorite, but andouille adds authentic Cajun smokiness while kielbasa offers a milder twist.
- Onion: Diced onion creates a sweet, aromatic base that plays beautifully off the Cajun spices.
- Bell pepper (any color): Choose your favorite hue for sweetness and a pop of vibrant color.
- Garlic: Just two cloves infuse the skillet with irresistible depth and aroma.
- Long grain white rice: The perfect blank canvas to absorb all the smoky, spicy flavors (don’t rinse; you want the starch!).
- Chicken broth: Use low-sodium for more control over the flavor and saltiness of the final dish.
- Canned diced tomatoes: No need to drain—those juices boost both the flavor and the sauce.
- Cajun seasoning: This is the star of the show—adjust the amount based on how spicy your crew likes it.
- Paprika: Adds subtle smokiness and a pretty blush to the finished rice.
- Dried thyme: Just a hint lifts the whole dish with gentle herbal notes.
- Black pepper: For a background warming heat that plays off the other spices.
- Salt: Taste and tweak at the very end, especially if your sausage or broth is salty.
- Chopped green onions or parsley (garnish): The final touch for fresh flavor and gorgeous presentation.
How to Make Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Start by warming the olive oil in your largest skillet over medium heat. Add your sliced sausage and cook until those rounds are browned and crisp on the edges, about 5 to 6 minutes. Don’t rush this part—that caramelized surface brings a deep, smoky flavor that anchors the whole Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe!
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
Transfer the sausage to a plate for now, and toss your diced onion and bell pepper into the same pan. Sauté them in the flavorful sausage drippings for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and fragrant, then add the garlic and let it cook for just 30 seconds. You’ll start to smell those classic Cajun aromas do their magic!
Step 3: toast the Rice
Stir in your uncooked rice, making sure every grain is coated and starting to toast slightly. This trick gives the rice extra nutty flavor and a satisfying bite, transforming it from plain white rice into something truly special for your skillet meal.
Step 4: Build the Skillet and Simmer
Return the browned sausage to the skillet, then add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, and black pepper. Give everything a good stir, bring it up to a bubbly boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer gently. After 18 to 20 minutes, your rice will be tender and all those smoky, spicy flavors melded together.
Step 5: Rest and finish
Take the skillet off the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes—this helps the rice finish steaming and any excess liquid to absorb fully. Fluff your skillet with a fork and get ready to serve your Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe piping hot, garnished generously with fresh green onions or parsley!
How to Serve Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
Bright garnishes are your best friend here. A shower of snipped green onions, a handful of fresh parsley, or even a few slices of jalapeño will bring a burst of color and herby freshness that’s perfect with the smoky heat of your Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe.
Side Dishes
While this skillet is a meal in itself, it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad, sweet buttered corn, or even a side of garlicky sautéed greens. A big hunk of crusty bread is perfect for scooping up any saucy bits left behind.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun family-style presentation, bring the whole skillet straight to the table and let everyone dive in. Or, pack individual portions into bowls and finish each one with its own unique topping—from a dollop of sour cream to a squeeze of fresh lemon, you can make your Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe look like a restaurant-ready star!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe stores like a dream. Just let it cool, then pop it into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It gets even more flavorful as the spices mingle!
Freezing
Want to stock your freezer with comfort food? Portion out cooled servings into freezer bags or airtight containers, label with the date, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight for best results—rice freezes surprisingly well!
Reheating
To bring your leftovers back to life, reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to keep the rice moist. The microwave works too—just cover and heat in short bursts, stirring in between until steaming hot.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Absolutely! Brown rice makes this dish even more wholesome. Just remember to add a bit more broth and extend the simmer time until the rice is cooked through—usually about 10–15 extra minutes.
What’s the best sausage to use for Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe?
Traditional andouille sausage brings authentic Cajun flavor, but kielbasa is a fantastic mild fallback. You can even try turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter twist!
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the sausage for your favorite plant-based sausage or smoked tofu, use vegetable broth, and you’ll still get a fantastic smoky, spicy skillet meal.
How can I adjust the spice level?
Tweak the heat easily—use more or less Cajun seasoning, or skip extra black pepper. Want it really mild? Start with just half the seasoning and add more at the end if you need it. For extra kick, a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce will do the trick!
Can I add other proteins?
Definitely! Shrimp or diced cooked chicken are delicious add-ins. Just stir them in during the last few minutes of simmering so they warm through without overcooking.
Final Thoughts
The Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe is pure weeknight magic—easy, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to leave everyone reaching for seconds. Give it a spin next time you want something comforting but crave a little spice, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular in your kitchen!
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Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A flavorful and easy one-pan Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet recipe that is perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. This dish combines smoked sausage with vegetables, rice, and Cajun seasonings for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces smoked sausage (such as andouille or kielbasa), sliced into rounds
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Chopped green onions or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil and brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add sliced sausage, cook until browned, then set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté onion and bell pepper until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Add rice and seasonings: Stir in uncooked rice, toast briefly. Return sausage to skillet, add broth, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat, let sit, fluff with a fork, garnish with green onions or parsley.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste based on preference.
- You can use brown rice, but adjust cooking time and liquid.
- For variation, add shrimp or cooked chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
