Whether it’s Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday…or a run of the mill weeknight, this easy Cajun dirty rice recipe is sure to start a party. It’s a hearty side or a one-dish meal.
Here’s how the conversation went as I was working on this recipe:
Me: Girls, I’m making Cajun Dirty Rice for Fat Tuesday.
Girls: What’s Fat Tuesday?
Me: It’s a celebration on the day before Lent starts where everyone eats lots of tasty things like Kings Cake, beignets and other sweets.
Girls: We should have LOTS of cake!!! And so…we will be having a few goodies along with this Louisiana specialty. Luckily, the Sunday Supper group is sharing an array of delicious recipes today to round out our Mardi Gras celebration!
Cajun Dirty Rice Made Easy
Classic Cajun dirty rice includes such things as chicken livers and ground pork. The Dinner-Mom version uses fully cooked sausage that has been chopped in a food processor. It makes this dish sooo easy. I’m partial to chicken sausage. Of course, andouille sausage would be perfect.
While the rice is cooking, saute the vegetables, stir in the sausage and season everything with Cajun spices. Add the cooked rice to the pan, sprinkle with green onions and, to quote my favorite Louisiana chef, BAM! You’re done!
Add some red beans if you like. And, by the way…it tastes even better the second day. So, make lots. 🙂
- 1 cup of long grain rice such as jasmine or basmati
- 1 1/2 cups broth low sodium chicken or vegetable
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon butter margarine or substitute
- 1 onion diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 celery stalks diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 red pepper diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun spice mix or try this homemade spice blend
- 9 ounces cooked sausage such as chicken sausage or andouille sausage
- 2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 bunch green onion sliced
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Cook rice according to instructions using broth instead of water. Rice should be light and fluffy and all the broth should be absorbed when finished.
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Finely cut and mash sausage until it is a crumbly consistency. Chop in a food processor if desired. Set aside.
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Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan.
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Add onion, celery, pepper and garlic to pan and saute until soft, about 5 minutes
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Add sausage to pan and mix to combine.
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When rice is finished cooking add it to the pan with the sausage and vegetables and mix to combine.
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Stir in Cajun spice and fresh thyme.
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Top with green onions.
Be sure to check out the other Mardi Gras inspired recipes by the Sunday Supper contributors! A big thank you to Leslie of La Cocina de Leslie for hosting this fun event.
Cocktails & Other Beverages:
- The Hurricane Cocktail Recipe from An Appealing Plan
- The French 75 from Kimchi MOM
- Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Appetizers:
- Fried Oysters and Remoulade from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Shrimp in Mustard Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands
- Mini Sweet Potato Pies from MealDiva
- Cajun Crab Beignets from Delaware Girl Eats
- Pancetta and Mushroom Arancini from Ruffles & Truffles
Main Dishes:
- Creole Shrimp Po Boy Recipe from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo from Supper for a Steal
- Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya from Yours And Mind Are Ours
- Vegan Pizza Waffles from Killer Bunnies, Inc.
- Red Beans and Rice from Cookin’ Mimi
- Baked Catfish Po’Boy from Curious Cuisiniere
- Muffaletta from Casa de Crews
- Bayou Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya from The Weekend Gourmet
- Seafood Gumbo from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Cajun Rice & Beans from Momma’s Meals
- Creole Celery Root Bisque (with Lobster) from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Louisiana Roasted Barbecue Shrimp from Food Lust People Love
- Cajun Dirty Rice Bowls from The Dinner-Mom
- New Orleans Fried Chicken from Family Foodie
Side Dishes:
- Baked Endive and Pears in Blue Cream Sauce from Shockingly Delicious
- Okra Creole from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Desserts:
- Banana Creme Pie with Honey Whipped Cream and Pecan Brittle from The Foodie Patootie
- Chocolate Ganache Tart from Melanie Makes
- Banana Bread Pudding from Gotta Get Baked
- Delicious Saffron Baked Beignets from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- New Orleans Bread Pudding with Caramel Whiskey Sauce from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Polish Paczki from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Buttermilk Beignets from The Messy Baker
- Eggless Bread Pudding in a Jar from What Smells So Good?
- Mint Julep Bars from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Mardi Gras Cupcakes w/ Cinnamon Frostingfrom Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Mardi Gras Long Johns from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Mexican Chocolate Coffee Cake from La Cocina de Leslie
- Fasnetküchle from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Cheesecake Swirl Brownies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pecan and Chocolate Pralines from Desserts Required
- Chocolate Raspberry Cake from Clarks Condensed
- Baked Coconut Beignets from Mess Makes Food
- Ravioli dolci di Carnevale from Manu’s Menu
- Strawberry Paczki from Neighborfood
- Blackberry Fritters from girlichef
- Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake from Magnolia Days
- Flourless Chocolate Cake in a Mug w/ Coconut Cream from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Pecan Bars from Pies and Plots
- “Skinny Tuesday” Bananas Foster Cheesecake Parfaits from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Mocha Pear Cake from Happy Baking Days
- Skinny Baked Beignets from Daily Dish Recipes
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LOL my girls would have said the same thing… they have such a sweet tooth! 🙂
I love your recipe for Dirty Rice bowls!
Thanks! We love our sweets!
My family would vote for all desserts on Fat Tuesday, too!!! But your dirty rice bowls look like a delicious way to start the meal…and still have room for dessert!
Yes! So many decadent recipes on the menu today!
I love experimenting with homemade rice pilaf’s! I’m adding this one to my list, this could easily be dinner in one dish!
Thanks Tammi! I’ve got a few more variations in the works too.
Mmmm, I love dirty rice!
Thanks! It’s spicy and a bit addictive!
We love Rice Bowls and this one looks soooo good!!
Thank you. We enjoyed them very much!
Yum, yum, yum, man does that look good!! For some reason my cereal just isn’t cutting it right now!!
Lol. It’s hard to read these Sunday Supper posts over breakfast!
What a great dinner for any night!
Yes. Perfect for an easy week night dinner..or lunch.
Yum! This would be a great weeknight meal. Satisfying and a little spicy, just the way I like it!
Thanks Courtney!
What a perfect dish! I love how healthy it is and ohhhh, I would so put this on a taco and eat it!!
Thanks Jennifer! What a great idea!
I love dirty rice but I have a confession to make. Me the queen of never cooking something from a box has never made dirty rice from scratch, I use to always buy that box mix. Admittedly it has been at least 8 years since I had it, I think I need to introduce my family to it.
This version is definitely easy! Let me know if you try it!
I loooove dirty rice! I would pile a big ol’ bowl high and settle in – looks amazing Marjory.
Thanks Heather! I always have a big smile when I have a big bowl to enjoy!
I’ve had a few different versions of dirty rice before, it’s always delicious!
Hope your girls enjoy…and you indulge in lots of cake and goodies too!
Thanks Shaina! That’s the plan.
sounds delicious. looks like something I need to try! 🙂
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
I love the “we should have lots of cake!” sounds like my house! Enjoy your goodies!
Thanks! Always a party around here!
I love dirty rice but never knew how to make it. Can’t wait to give this delicious looking dish a try!!
Thanks Betsy! This version is verrry easy!
Love dirty rice. I’ve never made it homemade from scratch before though.
I love a good rice bowl…it’s easy too.
What a beautiful bowl of deliciousness, Marjory! I love that you used chopped sausage because it has so much flavor.
In Louisiana, the grocery stores make this easy for you because you can actually buy a packet in the meat section called rice dressing mix and all you have to do is cook it and add your rice and spices.
Thanks Stacy! It’s always so interesting to learn what grocery stores in other areas stock. A rice dressing mix certainly would make things easy!
Mmmmm! I love a rice bowl…and these sound perfect for dinner OR lunch. Or a snack…lol…
Thanks Katie! Come to think of it, it would be a pretty tasty snack!
Cajun Dirty Rice is one of my favorite side dishes. I love this recipe!!!
Too fun! I served dirty rice a few months ago and small one said that she couldn’t eat it because it was dirty.
Gorgeous recipe!
I love dishes that improve on the 2nd day — yea for this one!
Oh I love, love, love dirty rice! Seriously one of my favorite Cajun dishes.
I never knew what “dirty rice” was until now! It’s pretty much like Cajun version of fried rice!! LOVE it!
This sounds so easy! We love dirty rice!
This dish does look really tasty and perfect for Fat Tuesday! I think I may have all the ingredients on hand to give it a try soon…
This looks so delicious and flavourful! I’ve pinned so that I can make this asap.
I’m up for this kind of rice dish anytime!
Okay seriously, forget the bowl, I need a trough to eat enough of this to make me happy. This looks absolutely delicious. Love, love, love.
I forgot how good dirty rice was!
Oh I just love dirty rice. I haven’t made it in years! Thanks so much for the reminder of this great dish. Pinning!!
Using sausage instead of chicken livers is brilliant! I think it why my husband has never cared for dirty rice. I’ll have to make this recipe for him and see if it will change his view on it.
Yummmmmm…….. This looks delish. I have to say that I would lean toward cake, too. 😉