Description
Looking for a comforting, flavorful meal that’s easy to make and incredibly satisfying? This Simple Red Beans and Rice recipe is your answer. With smoky sausage, tender red beans, and a savory blend of Cajun spices, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, hearty meal prep, or cozy gatherings. It’s a go-to for quick dinners, healthy snacks, or Southern-inspired food ideas that never disappoint. Whether you’re craving comfort or looking for bold flavor in a one-pot meal, this easy recipe delivers every time.
Ingredients
1 pound dry red kidney beans (or 3 cans, drained and rinsed)
12 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups chicken broth or water
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
3 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
1. Soak dry beans overnight in water, then drain and rinse before cooking. Skip this step if using canned beans.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned, then remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes.
4. Return sausage to the pot. Stir in bay leaves, Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
5. Pour in chicken broth and add beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered—1.5 to 2 hours for dry beans, or 30-45 minutes for canned.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Mash some beans against the pot to naturally thicken the mixture.
7. Serve hot over cooked white rice. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
For quicker cooking, use canned beans instead of dry.
The flavor deepens after a day in the fridge—perfect for meal prep.
To make it vegetarian, skip the sausage and use veggie broth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern, Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 50mg