Cajun Seafood Casserole, Texas Style
A flavorful Cajun seafood casserole combining spicy sausage, aromatic vegetables, rice, and succulent shrimp, perfect for hearty family dinners or entertaining guests with bold Southern flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Andouille sausage or kielbasa
- 1 large Spanish onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. garlic, minced ⓘ
- 2 c. uncooked rice ⓘ
- 4 green onions, chopped ⓘ
- 3 ribs celery, chopped ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper, seeded and chopped ⓘ
- 1 medium red pepper, seeded and chopped ⓘ
- 2 (14 1/2 oz.) cans beef broth ⓘ
- 1 (14 oz.) can Mexican style diced tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. thyme ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. parsley, chopped ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 1 hot jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced ⓘ
- 1 lb. raw shrimp, peeled and deveined ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook the sausage until browned, then drain on paper towels and let cool.
- Slice the sausage diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside.
- In a large pot, sauté chopped onion, celery, green pepper, red pepper, and minced garlic until vegetables are tender.
- Add the uncooked rice, beef broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme, cayenne pepper, and minced jalapeno to the vegetables. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
- Add cooked sausage slices and raw shrimp to the rice mixture, stirring gently to combine.
- Cook until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in chopped parsley and chopped green onions before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding a splash of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce to the casserole before serving. If you can't find Andouille sausage, kielbasa is a great substitute. For a lighter version, use turkey sausage and add more vegetables like zucchini or squash. This dish is versatile and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences.
Serving Suggestions
This Cajun Seafood Casserole is best served hot, garnished with extra chopped green onions for a fresh touch. It pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Old Fashion Goulash for a comforting dinner experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and heat in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems dry.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cajun Seafood Casserole, Texas Style contains roughly 618 calories, with 37g protein, 116g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (399% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (194% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 618mg per serving (27% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the heat, add more cayenne pepper or include additional minced jalapenos. You can also incorporate a dash of your favorite hot sauce into the mixture or serve with hot sauce on the side for those who like it extra spicy.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).