Description
Spicy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage over Rice delivers a zesty kick straight from Louisiana’s heart, bringing bold flavors that dance across your plate with smoky sausage and plump, juicy shrimp nestled on a bed of fluffy rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 3 large shrimp (per person), peeled and deveined
- 0.75 lb smoked sausage (Andouille or Polish), sliced
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 0.5 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, grated
Cooking Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 (15 ounces) can fire-roasted chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 0.5 lemon, juiced
- 3–4 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepared Cajun spice mix
Instructions
- Mix your homemade Cajun spice blend in a small bowl, ensuring all spices are thoroughly combined and set aside for easy access.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp of Cajun spice mix lightly over 3 large shrimp per person, coating them evenly.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet at medium-high heat for 2 minutes until shimmering.
- Add ¾ lb sliced smoked sausage to the hot skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes until edges are golden brown, then transfer to a plate.
- Quickly sear seasoned shrimp in the same skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and slightly curled, then remove from pan.
- Pour another 1 tbsp olive oil into the skillet and add ½ diced yellow onion, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 2 diced celery stalks.
- Sauté vegetables for 4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Grate 3 garlic cloves directly into the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.
- Add 1 cup basmati rice and coat thoroughly with vegetable mixture.
- Pour in 1 cup chicken stock, 1 can fire-roasted chopped tomatoes, and remaining Cajun spice mix.
- Stir ingredients well and bring to a low boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until rice is tender.
- Return seared sausage and shrimp to the skillet, stirring gently to warm through for 2-3 minutes.
- Squeeze juice from ½ lemon over the entire dish for brightness.
- Garnish with 3-4 chopped fresh parsley sprigs and serve immediately.
Notes
- Fresh shrimp cooks quickly, so watch carefully to prevent overcooking and keep it tender and juicy.
- The homemade Cajun spice mix allows you to control heat level and customize flavor to your taste preferences.
- Letting rice rest covered for 5 minutes after cooking helps it absorb remaining moisture and become perfectly fluffy.
- For a lighter version, swap regular sausage with turkey sausage and use brown rice for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-34 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg