Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet: An Easy Dinnertime Favorite

This Cajun Sausage and Rice is a total weeknight win: one pan, under 30 minutes, and built for big flavor with minimal cleanup. Whether you’re feeding the family or just trying to get dinner done fast, this skillet’s got your back.

This dish is what happens when you want comfort food that doesn’t take an hour, or all your clean pans. Bold, smoky sausage. Sweet peppers. A little Cajun heat. And rice that soaks up every last drop of flavor. It’s simple, satisfying, and so easy, it basically cooks itself.

I made this the first time when I had one lonely sausage link in the fridge, a random bell pepper, and zero dinner plan. I threw it all in a pan with rice and spices, crossed my fingers, and honestly? It was ridiculously good. Since then, it’s become one of my go-to meals when I want something hearty but hassle-free.

Why You’ll Love This Cajun Sausage and Rice

This is the kind of dish that delivers so much more than the effort it takes.

• Quick and Satisfying: You’ll go from pantry to plate in about 25 minutes.
• One Pan = Easy Cleanup: No juggling pots and pans while you cook (or clean).
• Flavor-Packed: Smoky sausage, colorful veggies, and Cajun seasoning bring it all.
• Budget-Friendly: Uses pantry basics and stretches one pack of sausage.
• Customizable: Toss in whatever veggies you have, or swap the protein.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Sauté the Sausage

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 3–4 minutes until lightly browned. This step adds flavor and gives the sausage a little crispy edge.

2. Add Veggies

Toss in the chopped bell pepper and onion. Sauté for another 3–4 minutes until the veggies start to soften. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.

3. Stir in Rice + Seasoning

Add the uncooked rice right into the skillet, along with the Cajun seasoning. Stir to coat everything in the spices.

4. Add Liquids + Simmer

Pour in the fire-roasted tomatoes (juice and all) and chicken broth. Stir well, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has absorbed.

5. Fluff + Serve

Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Then fluff the rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with chopped parsley or green onions if you want a fresh finish.

Enjoying the Cajun Sausage and Rice

I love how this dish feels like a full-on comfort meal without the full-on effort. It’s the kind of recipe that turns what you’ve got on hand into something that tastes like you planned it. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner, meal prep for the week, or just a cold night when you want something hearty, this skillet always comes through.

Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet (Easy Jambalaya Vibes)

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5 from 1 review

• Author: Jennifer West
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings

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Description

This Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet is basically what I like to call “jambalaya-lite.” It’s got all those warm, smoky, spicy flavors you love, but in a super simple, weeknight-friendly form. One pan, no fuss, and it comes together fast. The best part? The leftovers are even better the next day. (Hello, meal prep win!)

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Ingredients

14 oz. Andouille sausage

1 Tbsp cooking oil

1 bell pepper

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

1 15oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 cup long grain white rice

1.5 cups chicken broth

2 green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1. Start by slicing your sausage into ¼ to ½-inch thick rounds. Heat a drizzle of oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the sausage. Cook it until it’s nice and browned on both sides. And if the bottom of the pan starts to get a little browned too, don’t worry. That’s where all the flavor lives, and it’s going to work its way into the rice later.
2. While the sausage is cooking, dice up your bell pepper. Once the sausage has some good color, toss in the bell pepper and sauté everything together for about a minute to soften it up just a bit.
3. Next, sprinkle in your spices, smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and black pepper. Stir it all together and cook for another minute to let the spices bloom and coat everything in that smoky, savory goodness.
4. Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (don’t drain them!), the rice, and the chicken broth. Give everything a good stir, scraping up any of those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
5. Pop a lid on, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring it all to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, lower the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, lid on, no peeking.
6. After 20 minutes, take the skillet off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes with the lid still on. This helps the rice finish cooking and makes everything nice and fluffy.
7. When time’s up, take off the lid, fluff everything up with a spoon or spatula to mix the sausage and rice back together, and sprinkle with sliced green onions.

 

That’s it, dinner’s served! Cozy, flavorful, and all in one pan.

Equipment

Cutting Board

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Dutch Oven Casserole Pot

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Wooden Cooking Spoons

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• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stove
• Cuisine: Cajun

Jennifer West Senior Recipe Editor

As a Senior Recipe Editor, Jennifer West shares flavorful and easy meal recipes with a creative twist,. Perfect for busy families and everyday home cooks.

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