Mardi Gras Rice

Bring the vibrant spirit of New Orleans to your table with this colorful Mardi Gras Rice recipe! Bursting with Cajun-inspired flavors, this one-pot dish combines tender long-grain white rice, smoky sausage, fresh bell peppers, and aromatic spices like paprika, thyme, and oregano. Infused with diced plum tomatoes and cooked to perfection in hearty vegetable stock, it's a savory celebration of bold flavors and vibrant textures. Perfect for Mardi Gras festivities or any weeknight dinner, this easy recipe is ready in just one hour and serves up to six. Garnished with fresh parsley and green onions, it’s a festive feast that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Louisiana!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
• 2 medium plum tomatoes, diced
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.75 teaspoon salt
• 2 stalks green onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain well. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green and red bell peppers, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and aromatic.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and smoked sausage slices to the pot. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant and the sausage is lightly browned.

Step 4

Stir in the diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the spices to bloom and coat the vegetables and sausage.

Step 5

Add the rinsed rice to the pot, stirring well to coat the grains in the spice mixture.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable stock, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and fully cooked. Avoid lifting the lid during this time.

Step 7

Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and gently stir in the sliced green onions and chopped parsley.

Step 8

Serve warm, garnished with additional parsley or green onions if desired. Enjoy your colorful and flavor-packed Mardi Gras Rice!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2081.1 grams (2081.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1918

Total Fat 92.50g	119%
Saturated Fat 36.40g	182%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.60g
Cholesterol 199mg	66%
Sodium 7385mg	321%
Total Carbohydrate 212.30g	77%
Dietary Fiber 24.50g	88%
Total Sugars 31.90g
Protein 57.70g	115%

Vitamin D 5IU	23%
Calcium 395mg	30%
Iron 15mg	81%
Potassium 3335mg	71%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.5%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 44.4%