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- 1 pound Andouille sausage, sliced - 1 cup long-grain white rice - 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced - 1 medium onion, diced - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained - 2 cups chicken broth - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 bay leaf - 1 cup frozen peas - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Gathering the right ingredients is key to this dish. Andouille sausage brings a rich, smoky flavor that defines Cajun cooking. The rice serves as a base, soaking up all the tasty juices. The bell pepper and onion add crunch and sweetness, while garlic gives a nice kick. Diced tomatoes and chicken broth create a savory sauce. Cajun seasoning gives this dish its unique flair, while thyme and bay leaf add depth. Frozen peas bring color and a fresh taste. Don't forget olive oil for cooking and seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors. Fresh parsley makes a lovely garnish, adding brightness to your plate. - Large skillet or frying pan - Cooking spoon - Measuring cups and spoons - Knife and cutting board Having the right tools makes cooking easier. A large skillet allows for even cooking. A cooking spoon helps mix ingredients well. Measuring cups and spoons ensure you add just the right amounts. A knife and cutting board are essential for chopping your veggies. - Lid for the skillet - Fork for fluffing rice Using a lid helps trap steam, cooking the rice perfectly. A fork is useful for fluffing the rice once it’s done. This will make your dish light and fluffy, ready to serve. {{ingredient_image_1}} - Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. - Add 1 pound of sliced Andouille sausage. Brown it for about 5-7 minutes. - Next, add 1 diced onion and 1 diced bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté them for about 4-5 minutes. They should become tender. - Add 3 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté for another minute until it smells great. - Stir in 1 cup of long-grain white rice. Toast it slightly for about 2 minutes. - Pour in 1 can of diced tomatoes, 2 cups of chicken broth, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Mix everything well. - Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Then, lower the heat and return the sausage to the pan. Cover it and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. The rice should be tender and absorb most of the liquid. - Once the rice is cooked, stir in 1 cup of frozen peas. Let it sit covered for another 5 minutes. This helps the peas heat up. - Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. - For a bright touch, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Choosing the right Cajun seasoning is key. Look for a blend that has a mix of spices like paprika, cayenne, and garlic. You want a balance of heat and flavor. If you prefer more heat, add a pinch of cayenne or extra seasoning. For less spice, use half the amount at first and taste before adding more. To achieve perfectly cooked rice, rinse it before cooking. This removes excess starch and helps prevent stickiness. Toast the rice in the pan for two minutes. This adds a nice nutty flavor. When you combine the ingredients, make sure the rice is fully submerged in the liquid. This helps it cook evenly. Overcooking the sausage can lead to a tough texture. Cook it just until browned and crispy. Remove it from the pan to prevent it from cooking further. Not allowing the rice to rest after cooking can make it gummy. Let it sit covered for five minutes. This helps the grains firm up and absorb any remaining liquid. Pro Tips Use Quality Sausage: The flavor of your dish heavily relies on the quality of the Andouille sausage. Look for a brand that uses natural spices and has a good balance of smokiness and heat. Toast the Rice: Toasting the rice for a couple of minutes before adding liquids enhances its nutty flavor and helps prevent it from becoming mushy. Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning. Conversely, for more heat, feel free to add extra seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Let it Rest: Allowing the dish to sit covered after cooking lets the flavors meld and gives the rice time to absorb any remaining liquid, resulting in a better texture. {{image_2}} You can easily switch up the sausage in this dish. Kielbasa sausage works well and adds a nice flavor. If you prefer, you can use chicken or shrimp instead. Both will cook quickly and soak up the Cajun spices. Feel free to mix in more veggies. Adding corn brings sweetness and color. Zucchini can add a nice crunch. You can use frozen or fresh vegetables based on what you have. Just remember to adjust cooking times if you add fresh options. If you're looking for a healthy twist, try brown rice or quinoa. They add more fiber and nutrients. You can also use flavored rice, like garlic or herb rice, to give your dish a new taste. Just make sure to adjust the liquids based on what you use. To keep your One Pan Cajun Sausage and Rice fresh, place it in a container. Make sure it is airtight. You can refrigerate the dish for up to four days. This keeps the flavors intact and safe to eat. For best results, use glass or BPA-free plastic containers. They seal well and won’t retain odors. If you have more than one serving, consider using smaller containers. This makes it easy to grab a portion later. When it's time to eat again, you can reheat this dish in two ways. The microwave is quick. Just place the food in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short bursts, checking often. Stir the rice to help it heat evenly. The stovetop is another option. Place the dish in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water. This helps keep the rice moist. Stir frequently until everything is hot. If you want to save some for later, freezing is great. Portion out the leftovers into freezer-safe bags or containers. Make sure to remove air before sealing. This prevents freezer burn. To thaw, move the container to the fridge overnight. If you're in a hurry, you can use the microwave. Just use the defrost setting. After thawing, reheat as mentioned above. Enjoy your flavorful meal anytime! It takes about 40 minutes to cook One Pan Cajun Sausage and Rice. This includes 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking. The cooking time allows the rice to soak up all the tasty flavors. Yes, you can use other sausages. Kielbasa is a great choice. Chicken sausage also works well for a lighter dish. Feel free to use what you like. Just keep the cooking time similar. Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. The main ingredients do not contain gluten. Just make sure your chicken broth is gluten-free. Always check labels if you are unsure. One Pan Cajun Sausage and Rice is a tasty and easy meal. We covered the key ingredients and steps for cooking this dish. You learned about tips and tricks to enhance flavor and avoid common mistakes. We also discussed variations and storage info for leftovers. This meal works well for a busy weeknight. It offers flexibility for ingredients, making it enjoyable for all. Try it out and make it your own!

One Pan Cajun Sausage and Rice

A flavorful one-pan dish featuring Andouille sausage, rice, and a blend of Cajun spices.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 4
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Andouille sausage, sliced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1 whole bell pepper (red or green), diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 whole bay leaf
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the sliced Andouille sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
  • In the same pan, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes until they become tender. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in the rice and cook for about 2 minutes, allowing it to toast slightly with the vegetables.
  • Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir everything together, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low and return the sausage back to the pan. Cover with a lid and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  • Once the rice is cooked, stir in the frozen peas and let it sit covered for another 5 minutes to allow the peas to heat through.
  • Remove the bay leaf, and season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
  • Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Notes

Garnish with fresh parsley for added flavor.
Keyword Cajun, dinner, one-pan, rice, sausage