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Overhead view of a bowl of Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet on a white background

Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet

5 from 14 votes
Emily Dixon, One Lovely Life
This Cajun Sausage and Rice is an easy weeknight meal you can make any night of the week. It comes together in 30 minutes or less, but packs some serious flavor! (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Servings: 4 -6 Servings
Calories: 299kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon butter (or ghee, or olive oil for dairy-free)
  • 1 (12 ounce) package kielbasa sausage - sliced
  • 2 bell peppers diced (I like using 2 different colors)
  • 3 green onions sliced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1-2 cups spinach roughly torn or chopped
  • 4 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1/2-1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning I usually use about 3/4 tsp.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or, to taste
  • 3 cups cooked rice
  • 2-3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish optional
  • Black pepper or hot sauce to taste

Instructions

  • First, Cook The Sausage. Warm butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook 8-10 minutes, or until browned and caramelized to your desired preference. Remove sausage from pan and set aside on a large clean plate/bowl.
  • Cook Peppers. Add diced bell peppers to the same skillet and cook 4-5 minutes, or until crisp-tender. (Cook 1-2 minutes longer if you don't want any bite at all.)
  • Add The Rest Of The Veggies. Add sliced green onions, garlic, and spinach to the peppers. Cook 1-2 minutes longer on medium heat, until spinach is wilted and the garlic is fragrant. Remove vegetables and set aside.
  • Build Flavor. Add tomato paste, broth, 1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning and the salt to the pan and cook, whisking or stirring until the mixture is smooth. Cook the mixture 3-4 minutes, or until slightly thickened and smooth. Taste and add additional salt or Cajun seasoning, to taste. (You want it to be a bit strong-tasting, since the rice and veggies will dilute the flavor a bit.)
  • Assemble The Dish. Return cooked sausage and vegetables to the pan and add the cooked rice. Stir to coat with the sauce. Cook just 1-2 minutes longer to encourage the rice to absorb some of the liquid and allow the flavors to meld. Taste and add salt or pepper, to your liking. Garnish with cilantro or parsley & feel free to add black pepper or hot sauce, to taste. 
  • Serve & Store. Enjoy right away. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge 2-3 days. 

Notes

  • Turn Up The Heat! For a spicier dinner, swap the Kielbasa sausage for Andouille sausage. This spicy sausage adds a kick that's delicious with the amazing cajun flavors in this easy meal. (Feel free to use pork or chicken Andouille sausage here) 
  • On The Side. Depending on your hunger levels & how many people you're feeding, this cajun sausage skillet can be a complete meal on its own, but to stretch it further, we recommend pairing with a simple green salad (like our house salad!), and maybe some French bread or fresh fruit. 
  • Pan. I usually use a deep skillet with higher sides for this recipe, but if your skillet is too small, you can use a Dutch oven/deeper pot instead! 
  • Save Time. Cut down on prep by using frozen packets of cooked rice (or Instant rice) and frozen minced garlic! 

Video

Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cajun rice, Cajun sausage and rice, Cajun sausage and rice skillet, sausage and rice, sausage and rice skillet

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cup | Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 34.9g | Protein: 11.4g | Fat: 12.7g | Saturated Fat: 3.9g | Cholesterol: 39.2mg | Sodium: 781.9mg | Fiber: 1.8g | Sugar: 3.8g

Nutrition facts are an estimate only and will vary based on brands and amounts used.