Smoky Cajun Sausage and Pork Jambalaya
A rich and hearty Louisiana-inspired jambalaya featuring seasoned pork and fresh sausage simmered with aromatic spices and rice. This latin american-inspired rice & grains ready in about 60 minutes pairs sliced andouille sausage, cubed pork shoulder, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 12 oz, sliced andouille sausage
- 1 lb, cubed pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups long grain rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
- 2 tbsp, chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz sliced andouille sausage and 1 lb cubed pork shoulder; brown for 5-7 minutes until edges are crispy and meat is cooked through. Remove meat and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 medium diced green bell pepper, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for 1 minute until spices release aroma.
- Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups long grain rice and stir to coat with the vegetables and spices for 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juices. Add 2 bay leaves and the browned pork and sausage back into the pot.
- Step 6: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 7: Remove bay leaves, fluff the jambalaya with a fork, and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoky Cajun Sausage and Pork Jambalaya take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Smoky Cajun Sausage and Pork Jambalaya?
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 sliced andouille sausage from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoky Cajun Sausage and Pork Jambalaya?
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 Smoky Cajun Sausage and Pork Jambalaya 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 Smoky Cajun Sausage and Pork Jambalaya?
Latin American rice & grains 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.