One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Rice
A hearty one-pot meal featuring spicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp and smoked sausage simmered with rice and bell peppers in a creamy sauce. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 45 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, smoked Andouille sausage, sliced, long grain white rice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz smoked Andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 8 ounces sliced Andouille sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium diced onion, 1 medium diced red bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice and 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, coating the rice evenly for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 5: After 15 minutes, stir in the browned sausage, 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Cover and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until shrimp are opaque and rice is tender.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Rice take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Rice?
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 long grain white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Rice?
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 One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 One-Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Rice?
American one pot 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.
