Belly Full

Easy recipes for busy families!

  • home
  • Partner/PR
  • 30 Min or Less
  • Dessert
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizer
  • Recipes By Category
    • All Recipes

Home » Dinner » Quick and Easy One Pot Jambalaya

Quick and Easy One Pot Jambalaya

February 7, 2019 by Amy 2 Comments

This Quick and Easy One Pot Jambalaya is a flavorful and filling meal all made in one pan, featuring sausage, shrimp, rice, vegetables, and cajun seasoning. Weeknight dinner comfort food at its best!

overhead picture of Jambalaya in skillet

Several years ago, we were at my friend Heidi’s house and she made Jambalaya. It was delicious! And made me question why I hadn’t had it in so long. I’ve since said to Paul countless times, “I really need to get that recipe.” But I always forget to ask her. Even though we talk all the time. Also crazy. Stupid, really.

I finally remembered to ask…but she was out of town. Doesn’t have the recipe with her. I mean, who travels without their recipe binder? LAME. Lol.

Clearly I couldn’t wait for her to get back, now that I was finally ready to make it myself.

It’s been too long since I tasted hers, so I can’t say how this creation compares, but it’s definitely a total win. I’ve already made it again about five or six times. Paul absolutely loves it.

picture of easy Jambalaya in pot

While I was compiling the ingredients and amounts, I wondered if I was even making jambalaya and not gumbo. Because what even is the difference?? So I poked Google and this is what I found…

What is the difference between Gumbo and Jambalaya?

New Orleans, famous for its culture, architecture, and food, has birthed many Creole dishes, including both Gumbo and Jambalaya.  Gumbo has been around longer, though, originating in South Louisiana in the 1700’s.

While both dishes are similar because of the vegetables and meats used, there are some major differences that set them apart. Gumbo is a stew, almost always made with a roux to thicken it, and served with rice on the side. Jambalaya, on the other hand, is a rice-based dish, usually made in one pot with the rice (any wonder why I love it so much!)

The other major difference is that Gumbo typically cooks for at least three hours, where as Jambalaya maybe cooks for an hour tops, and is stirred infrequently, making it less time consuming.

close up picture of easy Jambalaya in pan

I imagine the longer a Jambalaya cooks, the deeper the flavor, just like a good ‘ol homemade spaghetti sauce! But I simplified this Jambalaya even further, cooking it for only 20 minutes. Because I wanted quick. And also, why not? Rice only takes 20-22 minutes to cook and I didn’t want mush.

This dish is so easy, flavorful, and filling. You could prep the ingredients the night before, making it even easier. Is it any wonder why it’s so popular and has been adapted a million different ways? Great weeknight dinner winner!

Other One Pot Dishes you might enjoy!

Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet

Mexican Rice Skillet

Skillet Beans and Rice with Kielbasa

Buffalo Chicken and Rice Skillet

One Pot Stove Top Chicken and Rice

Watch the video to see how it’s made!

0 from 0 votes
Print
Quick and Easy One Pot Jambalaya
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

This Quick and Easy One Pot Jambalaya is a flavorful and filling meal all made in one pan, featuring sausage, shrimp, rice, vegetables, and cajun seasoning. Weeknight dinner comfort food at its best!

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy, easy weeknight meal, Jambalaya, one pot, quick
Servings: 6
Calories: 400 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (thawed, if frozen)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 small sweet onion, diced
  • 1/3 cup diced celery
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes with garlic and oregano, undrained
  • 8 ounces kielbasa or andouille sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-1 inch pieces
  • 3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
  • 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 cup small cubed cooked ham
  • fresh chopped parsley, optional
Directions
  1. Rinse shrimp and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.

  2. In an extra-large skillet (with a lid), warm the oil over medium-high heat. Add in the onion and celery; saute until softened, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle with a touch of salt and pepper.

  3. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, sausage, rice, cajun seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.

  4. Stir in the shrimp, cover again, and cook for another 5 minutes or more until shrimp is opaque and rice is tender. 

  5. Stir in the ham and heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a touch more salt and pepper, only if necessary. 

  6. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired, and serve.

Nutrition Facts
Quick and Easy One Pot Jambalaya
Amount Per Serving
Calories 400 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Cholesterol 227mg76%
Sodium 1209mg50%
Potassium 579mg17%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 28g56%
Vitamin A 340IU7%
Vitamin C 16.4mg20%
Calcium 163mg16%
Iron 3.8mg21%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

You may also love:

  • Italian Stuffed Squash
    Italian Stuffed Squash
  • These Sushi Slacker Bowls are California Rolls deconstructed - all the ingredients, but served in a bowl, without the rolling. But just as yummy!
    Slacker Sushi Bowls
  • These Shrimp and Zucchini Tostadas are on the table in 25 minutes. Super flavorful and no fuss!
    Shrimp and Zucchini Tostadas

Filed Under: Dinner, Gluten-Free, Grains, One Pot or Pan, Seafood, Shrimp Tagged With: jambalaya, rice, sausage, shrimp

« The Best Texas Sheet Cake
Reuben Pinwheels »

Comments

  1. Hope W. says

    February 11, 2019 at 11:30 am

    Ooh, this looks delicious and easy! I noticed that step 5 mentions adding ham, but it’s not included in the list of ingredients. How much should I add? I’m glad I discovered your blog- the beans and rice with kielbasa is a big hit here!

    Reply
    • Amy @Belly Full says

      February 11, 2019 at 11:41 am

      Hi Hope! My bad. I fixed it, thanks! 3/4 cup cubed cooked ham.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I’m Amy - the home cook behind Belly Full (formerly Very Culinary). Come play with me! Read More >>

Stay Updated!

subscribe through e-mail notifications

Most Popular Recipes

French Coconut Pie - A super easy pie where coconut is the star. Sweet, buttery, and crispy. With only 5 minutes of prep!
A cheater version of the classic, this Chili Relleno Casserole has layers of gooey cheese and peppers, with puffy clouds of baked eggs on top. So delicious. And crazy simple. Serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Strawberry Shortcake Scones - tender flaky scones with fresh strawberries throughout and a dreamy glaze!
Unlike the most Candied Pecans which are usually hard coated, these are light and covered with powdered sugar. They’re more addicting than potato chips, and make a great gift!

Categories

Archives

Stay Updated

subscribe through e-mail notifications

Recently on Instagram

  • These Eggnog Cheesecake Bars are luscious cheesecake in bar form, with an eggnog flair, and drizzled with melted white chocolate!⁣
.⁣
One of the beautiful things about these bars is that they’re not actually made with eggnog – they just taste like it. So you can still make them when eggnog is not available. You're welcome!⁣
.⁣
RECIPE HERE: https://bellyfull.net/2015/12/17/eggnog-cheesecake-bars-with-white-chocolate-drizzle/⁣
.⁣
#cheesecake #cheesecakebars #eggnog #dessertbars #cheesecakelover #cheesecakelovers #holidayfood #holidaydesserts
  • Surely you’ve had Saltine Cracker Toffee. And if you haven’t, you are truly missing out.People affectionately refer to it as Saltine Sweeties, Cracker Toffee, Cracker Candy, Toffee Bark, Faux Toffee, Fooler Toffee, and most popular, Christmas Crack (for good reason – it is SO good and nobody has any willpower around it!)⁣
.⁣
RECIPE HERE: https://bellyfull.net/2019/11/22/saltine-cracker-toffee/⁣
.⁣
#holidaycandy #candies #holidayfood #saltines #christmascrack #toffee

Follow Belly Full on Instagram

Search

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2019 · Designed by Snixy Kitchen · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Genesis Framework · WordPress

Privacy Policy · Privacy Tools