Creole Rice and Beans with Sausage (Printable)
Vibrant, comforting Creole dish featuring smoky sausage, tender rice, and creamy beans simmered in spicy tomato sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 10 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Rice & Beans
06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
07 - 14 oz canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1⅔ cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Tomatoes & Sauce
09 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Oils & Garnishes
17 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
19 - Hot sauce for serving (optional)
# How To Make:
01 - Heat oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
02 - In the same pan, add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, cayenne, oregano, and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until the spices become fragrant.
04 - Add rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to coat with oil and spices.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes with juices and chicken broth. Stir in bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
06 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice begins to absorb the liquid.
07 - Add drained beans and browned sausage. Stir to combine, cover, and simmer for another 10-12 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat. Let stand covered for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with hot sauce if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The rice soaks up all those incredible spiced tomato juices, creating little flavor bombs in every bite that will make you close your eyes and savor each spoonful.
- You can prep everything in a single pot which means more time enjoying dinner conversation and less time scrubbing dishes afterward.
02 -
- Never skip browning the sausage first, as I once did when in a hurry, or youll miss out on the foundational flavor that makes this dish sing.
- If your rice is still crunchy after the cooking time, add a splash more broth, cover again, and give it another five minutes rather than cranking up the heat.
03 -
- Freezing portions in flattened zip-top bags lets you break off just what you need for quick lunches, something I discovered during a particularly chaotic work week.
- If you accidentally oversalt, stir in a drained can of diced tomatoes or even a bit of leftover cooked rice to dilute and rebalance the flavors.