Cajun Dirty Rice with Sausage and Ground Beef
Cajun Dirty Rice with Sausage and Ground Beef is a one-pot Cajun rice recipe made with smoky sausage, seasoned ground beef, and classic Southern spices. It’s a quick weeknight dinner, a hearty one-pan meal, and budget-friendly comfort food. This easy Cajun dirty rice recipe uses simple ingredients and a skillet cooking method to deliver a filling dish with minimal cleanup.
Servings: 5
Calories: 416kcal
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or 4 to 5-quart sauté pan, or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Cutting board
- Chef’s Knife
Ingredients
- ¾ pound ground beef
- 6 ounces andouille sausage sliced into coins or half-moons
- 1 small yellow onion diced fine
- ½ small green bell pepper diced fine
- ½ small red bell pepper diced fine
- 2 stalks celery diced fine
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning or to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
- Few dashes of hot sauce optional
- Green onions or parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced andouille in a single layer; sear 2-3 minutes per side until browned and crisp. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet with sausage drippings, add ground beef. Cook until browned (about 5 minutes), breaking it up. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add dry rice and stir to coat in fat. Toast 2-3 minutes until slightly translucent.
- Stir in paprika, Cajun seasoning, thyme, and bay leaf. Return seared sausage to skillet. Pour in chicken broth, stir, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low. Cover with tight-fitting lid and simmer 20-22 minutes, until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat. Let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf. Fluff gently with a fork.
- Season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce if desired. Sprinkle with chopped green onion or parsley before serving.
Video
Notes
Cooking Notes
This dirty rice builds flavor in layers, starting with seared sausage and browned beef before adding the vegetables and spices. The rice cooks directly in the seasoned broth, absorbing all the smoky, savory flavors. Letting it rest at the end helps the grains firm up and finish cooking evenly.
Tips for Best Results
- Sear the andouille first to develop flavor and create a rich base in the pan.
- Toast the rice briefly in the fat so it absorbs flavor before adding liquid.
- Add the broth and simmer with a tight lid so the rice cooks evenly.
- Let the rice rest before fluffing so it holds its texture and doesn’t become sticky.
Nutrition
Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 688mg | Potassium: 512mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1140IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 3mg
