Easy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Sausage and Rice Casserole
One pot, one pan to wash, dinner in 40 minutes — this casserole is chicken sausage, rice, and vegetables simmered together with a solid hit of Cajun seasoning. It’s built for anyone who wants a real dinner on the table without a sink full of dishes after.
Weeknights are exactly where this one earns its keep, especially if you’ve already got cooked rice sitting in the fridge. Most of the work is browning the sausage and softening the vegetables — after that, it’s a quick simmer and you’re done. Serve it straight out of the skillet with a green salad or some crusty bread if you want to round it out.
For more easy dinners like this one, try my Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage & Roasted Vegetables, Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice, and Blackened Chicken and Sweet Potato Bowl. They’re all simple recipes that work well for busy weeknights.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Easy One-Pot Cajun Sausage and Rice Casserole:
Ingredient Notes
Chicken sausage: Pre-cooked is what you want — it’s already fully cooked, so you’re just browning it for flavor, not cooking it through. Andouille or a spicy variety leans further into the Cajun angle.
Cajun seasoning: Brands vary a lot in heat level, so start with a tablespoon and taste before adding more. Use a milder blend or cut it back for spice-sensitive eaters.
Rice: Long-grain white rice holds its texture best here, but leftover brown rice works too and brings a slightly chewier bite.
Diced tomatoes: Don’t drain these. The juice is part of what keeps the rice from drying out during the simmer.
Recipe Variations
Add More Vegetables: Stir diced zucchini, mushrooms, or corn in with the bell pepper and onion.
Make It Cheesy or Spicier: Add shredded cheddar before serving, or stir in cayenne or hot sauce with the Cajun seasoning.
Swap the Sausage or Rice: Use pre-cooked pork, turkey, or plant-based sausage, and swap cooked brown rice for a heartier texture.
How To Make Easy One-Pot Cajun Sausage and Rice Casserole: Step by Step
Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Brown the sliced sausage in the skillet, then set it aside.
Step 2: Sauté the onion and bell pepper until softened.
Step 3: Add the sausage, rice, tomatoes, and seasonings to the skillet.
Step 4: Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat.
Step 5: Top with chopped green onion and serve hot.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Let the sausage actually brown before pulling it out, and don’t rush the onion and pepper step — both add important flavor and texture.
Stir everything together well before it comes to a boil so the seasoning coats the rice evenly, then keep the lid on during the simmer.
Taste before serving and add more Cajun seasoning for extra kick; add a splash of broth when reheating if the rice looks dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Pork, turkey, or plant-based sausage all work here. Make sure it’s pre-cooked, or adjust the browning time if it isn’t.
Absolutely. You can assemble it up to a day ahead and store it in the fridge, then cook it when you’re ready. It also reheats well if you cook it fully in advance.
Yes. Let the casserole cool completely, then freeze it in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat with a splash of broth if it looks dry.
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More Recipes To Try
Easy One-Pot Cajun Sausage and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice
- 4 cooked chicken sausages sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper diced
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes do not drain
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons green onion chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the sliced sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, until browned on each side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onion turns translucent and the pepper softens.
- Return the sausage to the skillet and add the rice, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well until everything is evenly coated.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle with the chopped green onion, and serve hot.
Notes
The nutritional details for recipes are estimated using MyFitnessPal and can vary with different products, measurement accuracy, and source reliability. We aim to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee the precise accuracy of the nutritional data