ONE POT CAJUN SHRIMP, SAUSAGE, AND RICE
on Feb 07, 2025, Updated Jul 22, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Peppery sausage and tender shrimp are cooked with long-grain rice and loads of spices for a healthy, substantial one-pot meal.
Truly, there’s nothing better than a hearty, one-pan, protein-packed meal. When I’m unsure what I want for dinner, I always turn to a recipe that I know will come together quickly and be tasty too.
This One Pot Cajun Shrimp, Sausage, and Rice delivers on both fronts as each flavor builds upon the next for a delicious bite.
This one-pot meal is inspired by the traditional flavors of a jambalaya. There’s pre-cooked sausage which gives a spicy note, tender and juicy shrimp, and fluffy rice.
Get the Protein-Empowered digital cookbook!
The entire dish is cooked in a blend of rich spices like smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and thyme.
When you’re craving something robust and comforting but healthy too, make this rice dish. It’s great for a crowd and any leftovers are great for the next day too. Enjoy!
Key Ingredients for One Pot Shrimp, Sausage, and Rice
At first glance, it may look like a lengthier ingredient list but I promise that nothing is too difficult to find. This recipe is pretty customizable so check out my recommendations below if you want to swap rice for another grain or if you’re allergic to shellfish.
- Veggies: The meal starts with sauteed onion, bell pepper, and celery. Known as the “holy trinity” in Cajun and Creole cuisine, this combo makes for a flavorful base.
- Spices: Open up your spice cabinet because you’ll need quite a few spices here. You’ll need smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, thyme, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Chicken Bone Broth: If you typically cook your rice in water, try bone broth! Not only does it add extra nutrition but it will give a richer depth of flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes: A can of fire-roasted tomatoes gives the rice its signature yellow hue.
Pin this recipe for later!
Pin It- Long-Grain Rice: You’ll want to use white, long-grain rice for this recipe. Be sure to let the finished dish sit for a few minutes to ensure the fluffiest texture. Some of you have tried this with quinoa and had great results. If you use brown rice, you’ll likely need to cook the rice for a few extra minutes.
- Cajun Sausage: I used precooked chicken sausage links, but feel free to use pork sausage. Choose mild or spicy depending on your preference.
- Shrimp: Small peeled and deveined shrimp cook relatively quickly and add another. If you’re allergic to shellfish, you can omit this and double up on the chicken.
- For serving: Chopped cilantro and green onion add a pretty finish and a fresh bite.
How to Make Shrimp and Sausage Recipes
To get this going, heat the avocado oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.
Add the onion, bell peppers, and celery and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.
Add the garlic, seasonings, and salt and pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the garlic to become fragrant and the seasonings to bloom.
Add the chicken broth and fire-roasted tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
Add the rice and sausage, stirring to incorporate. Make sure the rice is submerged so every grain cooks properly. Cover and cook on a low simmer for 20 minutes.
Uncover and stir. Add in the shrimp, submerging them in the rice mixture, and cover and cook for another 6 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to sit, covered, for another 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with green onion and cilantro. Enjoy!
More One Pot Meals:
- One Pot Chicken Piccata and Rice
- One Pot Loaded Veggie Pesto Chicken and Rice
- One Pot Hidden Organ Meat Bolognese
- One Pot Thai-Inspired Chicken and Rice
ONE POT CAJUN SHRIMP, SAUSAGE, AND RICE
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, large diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ cups chicken bone broth
- 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
- 12 ounces pre-cooked cajun sausage links (I used chicken sausage)
- 1 pound small shrimp, peeled and deveined
For Serving:
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Heat the avocado oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion, bell peppers, and celery and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the garlic, seasonings, and salt and pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the garlic to become fragrant and the seasonings to bloom.
- Add the chicken broth and fire-roasted tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
- Add the rice and sausage, stirring to incorporate and ensuring that the rice is submerged.
- Cover and cook on a low simmer for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and stir then add the shrimp, submerging them in the rice mixture, and cover and cook for another 6 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to sit, covered, for another 3 to 5 minutes.
- Serve with green onion and cilantro. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
