Quick and Easy Jambalaya

Easy Jambalaya

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

Updated

Enjoy a delicious and fuss-free Jambalaya perfect for busy weeknights. Sausage, rice, and veggies come together in one pan for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Rate this recipe!
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
Jump to Recipe

This easy jambalaya is a quick and simple way to indulge in this Creole classic at home.

Jambalaya is a Creole dish that originated in New Orleans. It is a rice dish that is traditionally flavored with Cajun spice and features a mixture of proteins.

Jambalaya is a Creole dish

Classic jambalaya uses andouille sausage and shrimp but you can also add chicken if you want to beef it up.

What’s great about this classic dish is that it is a one-pot meal. The veggies are cooked in the sausage juices, which adds an extra meaty hit of flavor.

Then, when you’re done, you just have one pan to clean, which will save you a lot of time.

this classic dish is that it is a one-pot meal

Why you will love this Jambalaya recipe…

  • One pot meal- This will save you the hassle of doing piles of dishes!
  • Simple version of a classic- This makes the dish more approachable to make at home.
  • Wholesome classic- It’s got a great balance of meat, veggies, and rice that will leave you feeling satisfyingly full.
  • Feeds the whole family- This is a simple recipe to double up to serve even a large family.
  • Great for entertaining- Wow your guests with a Creole classic that takes just under an hour to prepare.

Quick & Easy Jambalaya

Enjoy a delicious and fuss-free Jambalaya perfect for busy weeknights. Sausage, rice, and veggies come together in one pan for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 863 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 6 pork sausages
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 celery sticks, sliced
  • 2 red peppers capsicums, seeded and cut into small chunks
  • ½ tsp crushed dried chillies
  • 250 g long-grain rice (I used brown rice and needed to cook it longer)
  • 400 g jar crushed tomatoes with onion and garlic
  • 425 ml hot chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, optional
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh flat parsley, optional

Instructions
 

Ingredients

  • Easy Jambalaya Ingredients
  • Cut the sausages into rounds and pan-fry in a little oil until golden. Set aside.
    Jambalaya Recipe instruction - Cook the Sausages
  • Add some extra olive oil to the sausage juices in a deep frying pan. Add the celery and peppers and fry for 2-3 minutes to soften. Add the crushed chillies and the rice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, before adding the tomatoes, the hot stock, Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper.
  • Jambalaya Recipe instruction - and the rice and cook
  • Simmer over a medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until nearly all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
    Jambalaya Recipe instruction - stir the sausages into the rice
  • When the sausages are cooked, cut them into chunks and stir into the rice. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Great with pita bread and salad.

Nutrition

Calories 863kcal (43%)Carbohydrates 58g (19%)Protein 33g (66%)Fat 54g (83%)Saturated Fat 16g (100%)Polyunsaturated Fat 7gMonounsaturated Fat 26gTrans Fat 0.4gCholesterol 125mg (42%)Sodium 1260mg (55%)Potassium 762mg (22%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 5g (6%)Vitamin A 2171IU (43%)Vitamin C 78mg (95%)Calcium 43mg (4%)Iron 3mg (17%)
Keyword Jambalaya
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this jambalaya with pita bread and a fresh green salad.

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Adjust the spice. Add 1 tsp Cajun spice to make it hotter or reduce the chilli if you need it to be milder.
  • Try chorizo or andouille sausage. This will add a distinctive, smoky flavor.
  • Add garlic and onion. If your tomatoes don’t include these ingredients, fry some up in the sausage juices before adding the celery and peppers.
  • Include some shrimp. To make it more authentic, fry some shrimp after the sausage and set it aside to add later.

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- Allow to cool completely before placing in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To freeze- Place in freezer-safe containers and label with the date. Freeze for up to 6 months.
  • To reheat- Place in a frying pan with a dash of stock and heat gently until the sausages are heated through fully.

Jambalaya FAQs

What are the two types of jambalaya? 

There are two forms of jambalaya; Creole and Cajun. Cajun jambalaya features veggies and andouille sausage and was created in Louisiana. Creole jambalaya takes its inspiration from Spanish, French, and African flavors and includes tomatoes and shrimp.

Does traditional jambalaya have tomatoes?

Creole or ‘red jambalaya’ includes tomatoes, while Cajun or ‘brown jambalaya’ does not.

What does ‘jambalaya’ mean in English?

‘Jambalaya’ translates to mixed up or jumbled. This refers to the combination of ingredients as well as the blend of influences that brought this dish to life in Louisiana.

Peach Basil Honey Mascarpone Fruit Pizza

Peach Basil & Honey Mascarpone Fruit Pizza

SWEET POTATO GNOCCHI

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Burnt Butter & Sage Sauce

APRICOT, ORANGE BLOSSOM & WHITE CHOCOLATE FOOL

Apricot, Orange Blossom & White Chocolate Fool

Amy Hand
About the author
Amy Hand
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get the latest recipes and cooking tips delivered straight to your inbox!

Recipes
Quick Links