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Cajun Sausage and Rice

Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet is a family favorite easy and delicious one skillet meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! This Cajun sausage recipe is perfect for busy weeknights that uses cajun smoked sausage, bell peppers, and rice.

Sausage Pepper Rice Skillet

I love a good one skillet meal. They are easy to make, easy to clean up, and if it's the right recipe - they are delicious! This Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet is just that - a healthy, delicious, and easy weeknight dinner that the family will be sure to love! And since it is cooked in only one skillet, that means less cleanup - a winner for sure!

Sausage Pepper Rice Skillet

Ingredients in Sausage Pepper Rice Skillet

This one-pot wonder has pretty simple ingredients that combine to make one amazing dish.

Vegetables - white onion, red bell pepper, and orange bell pepper. You can use a yellow onion, and yellow or green bell peppers too, if you prefer.

Cajun Sausage - I used a smoked cajun sausage for this recipe. Cajun sausage adds a ton of great flavor to this rice skillet recipe. Other sausages would work too. For example, kielbasa sausage, spicy andouille sausage, regular smoked pork sausage, or chicken sausage would also work great in this dish.

Spices - garlic, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. These are classic Cajun spices that add so much flavor to this dish.

Rice, Tomato Sauce, Broth - The tomato sauce adds some flavor to the liquid portion that the rice is cooked in. Chicken stock or vegetable broth also work well in place of the chicken broth.

Toppings - The last thing is to top this cajun sausage and rice off with some fresh parsley. This adds a bit of freshness and different colors to the dish that I loved!

Sausage Pepper Rice Skillet

How to Make Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet

As I mentioned, this cajun sausage recipe is an easy weeknight meal and the best part is that it is super delicious, too. It's spicy Cajun comfort food that you will look forward to at the end of the day!

Cook the veggies - In a large nonstick skillet, add olive oil over medium-high heat. A dutch oven would work well for this recipe, too. Cook the onions, bell pepper, and cajun sausage until the vegetables are softened and the sausage is browned.

Garlic and spices - Next, add the garlic and spices, cooking another minute.

Rice - add the tomato sauce, rice, and vegetable broth and give it a good stir with a wooden spoon to gently to combine. Simmer the mixture over medium heat, covered, for about 25 minutes, until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid and is soft and ready to eat. See? So easy!

Storage - store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Sausage Pepper Rice Skillet

Cajun Sausage and Rice Questions

Can I use brown rice?

You could adapt this recipe to use brown rice. However, you will need to increase your cooking time quite a bit. While white rice typically cooks in 20 minutes, brown rice takes closer to 50 minutes, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Can I add cooked rice to this recipe?

Yes, but you will have to adjust the recipe a little bit. Cook the vegetables and sausage like the instructions say, and then add the cooked rice without

Cajun Sausage and Rice Variations

Looking to make your own version of this cajun sausage recipe? Consider these variations, below!

Use different sausage. While cajun sausage is delicious in this cajun rice recipe, there are many other sausage options. The kind of sausage you use will affect the flavors, but you always should use whatever you prefer. I have seen chicken Andouille sausage that would work well, along with pork Andouille sausage. Other ideas include smoked turkey sausage, kielbasa sausage, and beef sausage.

Spice it up. If you like spicy foods and want this dish extra spicy, add some cajun seasoning blend, creole seasoning, cayenne pepper, or jalapeños. I found it was plenty for my wimpy tastebuds spicy using cajun sausage!

Add some beans. Red beans are a classic ingredient in Cajun recipes. If you like beans, feel free to add a can of red beans to the skillet when you add the tomato sauce, rice, and broth!

Like this Andouille sausage recipe? Check these out, too!

One Skillet Mexican Chicken and Rice

One Skillet Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

One Skillet Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice

 

Sausage Pepper Rice Skillet

Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet

A quick one skillet meal with sausage, peppers, and rice!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 540kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 white onion diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 yellow or orange bell pepper diced
  • 12 ounces smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces could also use chicken sausage, or any kind of cooked sausage that you like!
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ⅛-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper depending on spice preference
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 14 ounces tomato sauce
  • 2 ½ cups white rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • chopped fresh parsley for serving

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onions, peppers and sausage, and cook until the peppers are softened and sausage is browned, about 10-12 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, spices, and salt and cook another minute.
  • Add the tomato sauce, rice, and broth, and stir well to combine.
  • Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover, cooking until the rice is soft and liquid has been absorbed, about 20-25 minutes. Be sure to stir every once in awhile to make sure the rice isn't getting burned on the bottom.
  • Top with chopped parsley and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 1795mg | Potassium: 664mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1708IU | Vitamin C: 68mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @greensnchocolate to let me know!
Need more ideas?Find all of my recipe pins @greenschocolate

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Recipe Rating




  1. I love this recipe! Has been one of my staples for about a year. I use mild Italian sausage instead of chorizo. Thank you!!

  2. 4 stars
    Very good recipe and kids enjoyed it too. Proportions were accurate. The rice got a little crispy on the bottom which added to the flavor. Next time will up the spices and/or add a jalapeño as we found it a little on the bland side. Great way to stretch a meal when you’re low on meat as it calls for more rice than other similar ones. Thanks!