Cajun-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp
A hearty Louisiana classic featuring smoky andouille sausage, tender shrimp, and vibrant Cajun spices simmered with rice and vegetables. This louisiana creole-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs olive oil, medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz andouille sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 12 oz medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 14 oz diced tomatoes (canned)
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 8 oz sliced andouille sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and slightly crispy; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 12 oz peeled and deveined medium shrimp and cook 2 minutes per side until pink; remove and set aside with sausage.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup diced yellow onion, 1 cup diced green bell pepper, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices, 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, 3 cups chicken broth, 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
- Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes without stirring.
- Step 7: Remove the bay leaf, return sausage and shrimp to the pot, and gently fold in. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes until heated through and rice is tender.
- Step 8: Season with salt and black pepper to taste, sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped parsley, and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cajun-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cajun-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cajun-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp?
Louisiana Creole seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
