Ever crave a dish that warms your soul and wakes up your taste buds? Let’s talk about this Cajun seafood jambalaya recipe that’s pure Southern magic. I love how this one-pot meal brings bold flavors to the table with almost no cleanup. Imagine a flavorful stew simmering away, filling your kitchen with that irresistible aroma of spices and seafood. Have you ever tried Southern cooking that feels like a hug from Louisiana? This recipe delivers just that! It’s versatile enough for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering with friends. You’ll see why it’s a standout—simple ingredients, big taste, and a sizzle that keeps you coming back. Ready to dive into this ultimate delight? Let’s get cooking!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Big Taste, Little Effort: This one-pot meal blends seafood and spices in a snap—no fancy skills needed.
Flavor That Pops: Every bite of this flavorful stew hits you with smoky, spicy goodness.
Weeknight Winner: It’s an easy seafood dinner that’s ready in under an hour—perfect when you’re busy.
Crowd-Pleaser: Serve it up at a gathering, and watch everyone dig in for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined – Fresh or frozen works for this healthy seafood meal.
½ lb white fish (like cod), cubed – Adds a tender bite to the mix.
1 cup andouille sausage, sliced – Optional, but it kicks up the spice!
1 tbsp olive oil – Keeps everything sizzling nicely.
1 medium onion, diced – Builds that classic Cajun base.
1 green bell pepper, chopped – Brings color and crunch.
2 celery stalks, chopped – The third piece of the holy trinity.
3 garlic cloves, minced – Because garlic makes everything better.
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained – Adds a juicy tang.
1 cup long-grain white rice – The heart of this spicy rice recipe.
2 cups seafood or chicken broth – Locks in all the flavor.
1 tsp smoked paprika – For that smoky depth.
1 tsp Cajun seasoning – Adjust if you like it bold!
½ tsp dried thyme – A subtle herby lift.
¼ tsp cayenne pepper – Optional heat for spice lovers.
Salt and pepper to taste – Finish it your way.
2 green onions, sliced – Garnish that pops.
Fresh parsley, chopped – A fresh final touch.
How to Make seafood jambalaya recipe
Ready to cook up a shrimp jambalaya that’s pure joy in a pot? I promise this easy seafood dinner comes together fast and tastes amazing. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a one-pot meal ready to impress in no time—let’s do this!
Heat Things Up: Grab a large skillet or Dutch oven. Warm 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the sausage (if using) and cook until golden, about 3-4 minutes. Set it aside.
Cook the Veggies: Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pan. Stir them around for 5 minutes until soft. Throw in the garlic and cook 1 more minute—it’ll smell incredible.
Mix the Base: Stir in tomatoes, rice, broth, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, thyme, and cayenne (if you like a kick). This is your spicy rice recipe coming to life!
Simmer Away: Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat. Cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Stir now and then until the rice soaks up the goodness.
Add the Seafood: Tuck the shrimp and fish into the rice. Cover again and cook 5-7 minutes until the seafood turns opaque. You’ve got a quick Cajun recipe right here!
Finish Strong: Taste it—add salt and pepper as you like. Sprinkle green onions and parsley on top for that fresh pop.
Cooking Tips seafood jambalaya recipe
Adjust the Heat: Love a bold spicy rice recipe? Add extra cayenne or a dash of hot sauce. Dial it back if you prefer mild.
Seafood Swap: Mix it up! Try scallops or crab instead of fish—just watch the cooking time for tender results.
Rice Rescue: If your one-pot meal needs more liquid, splash in a bit of broth and simmer longer. No soggy rice here!
Prep Smart: Chop veggies ahead of time. It makes this dish a breeze for busy nights.
Boost the Sizzle: Toast the spices with the veggies for 30 seconds before adding broth—unlocks big flavor fast.
Recap Recipe seafood jambalaya recipe
Recipe Details:seafood jambalaya recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes – Quick chopping and setup.
Cook Time: 35 minutes – Mostly hands-off simmering.
Total Time: 50 minutes – Ready in under an hour!
Servings: 6 – Plenty for family or friends.
Calories: 380 kcal – A satisfying healthy seafood meal.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 380 kcal – Keeps you full without guilt.
Total Fat: 12g (Saturated Fat: 3g) – Balanced and tasty.
Protein: 28g – Packed with seafood power.
Carbohydrates: 40g (Fiber: 3g, Sugars: 4g) – Fuel for your day.
Cholesterol: 160mg – From that delicious shrimp.
Sodium: 820mg – Watch if you’re cutting salt!
Categorization:
Course: Main Dish – Perfect for dinner.
Cuisine: Cajun – A true Cajun seafood dish.
Diet: Gluten-Free (if sausage is GF) – Easy to adapt.
Method: One-Pot – Less cleanup, more flavor.
Keyword: Seafood Jambalaya Recipe – Find it fast!
Skill Level: Intermediate – Simple with a fun twist.
Conclusion
This Cajun seafood dish is a game-changer, isn’t it? I love how this sizzling skillet dish turns simple ingredients into a flavorful stew that warms you up from the inside out. It’s the best of Southern cooking—bold, hearty, and oh-so-easy. Whether it’s a quiet night in or a fun dinner with friends, this easy seafood dinner delivers every time. Give it a shot and let me know how it goes—I bet you’ll be hooked! Got questions? Check out the FAQs below for more tips
FAQ seafood jambalaya recipe
Can I use frozen seafood for this recipe?
Yep! Thaw it first for even cooking, or add a few extra minutes if you’re in a rush. Works great for this quick Cajun recipe.
How spicy is this jambalaya?
It’s got a mild kick from Cajun seasoning. Want more heat in your spicy rice recipe? Toss in extra cayenne!
Can I make it ahead of time?
Sure thing! Prep the veggies and spices early, then cook this one-pot meal when you’re ready—saves time.
What pairs well with this dish?
Try cornbread or a fresh salad. They balance the big flavors perfectly.
How do I store leftovers?
Pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth to keep it juicy.
seafood jambalaya recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined – Fresh or frozen works for this healthy seafood meal.
- ½ lb white fish like cod, cubed – Adds a tender bite to the mix.
- 1 cup andouille sausage sliced – Optional, but it kicks up the spice!
- 1 tbsp olive oil – Keeps everything sizzling nicely.
- 1 medium onion diced – Builds that classic Cajun base.
- 1 green bell pepper chopped – Brings color and crunch.
- 2 celery stalks chopped – The third piece of the holy trinity.
- 3 garlic cloves minced – Because garlic makes everything better.
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained – Adds a juicy tang.
- 1 cup long-grain white rice – The heart of this spicy rice recipe.
- 2 cups seafood or chicken broth – Locks in all the flavor.
- 1 tsp smoked paprika – For that smoky depth.
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning – Adjust if you like it bold!
- ½ tsp dried thyme – A subtle herby lift.
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper – Optional heat for spice lovers.
- Salt and pepper to taste – Finish it your way.
- 2 green onions sliced – Garnish that pops.
- Fresh parsley chopped – A fresh final touch.