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Mardi Gras is just around the corner, and this Quick and Easy Jambalaya Casserole is a delicious twist on the New Orleans classic. The rice, chicken, shrimp, and sausage all cook together in one dish, making this a simple one-dish meal that involves almost no preparation and very little clean-up. Does it get any better than that?! It’s pure, flavor-packed comfort food!Â
Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is almost here?! With Mardi Gras right around the corner, I thought that it would be appropriate to share a classic New Orleans dish with you today. As with most of my recipes, however, I have simplified this meal to make it super-fast, super-easy, and very family-friendly. Trust me – you are going to LOVE this Quick and Easy Jambalaya Casserole!
I love all of the flavor components in a traditional jambalaya, but my crazy schedule doesn’t always allow me to simmer a big pot on the stove for a long period of time, and it certainly doesn’t allow for recipes that involve a lot of preparation or a lot of steps. That’s why this particular casserole is so ideal for busy parents like us! You just stir together the raw ingredients, bake them, and you’re done! That’s right – you don’t have to cook the rice in advance, you don’t have to cook any of the meat or seafood in advance, and you only get one dish dirty!
As if you needed an added bonus, I’m here with even more good news: you can prep this meal in advance when your schedule allows. This is KEY for me, since a baby and two preschoolers often leave me tired, distracted, and overwhelmed at the 5 p.m. dinner hour. Instead, I love that I can stir together the ingredients in the morning while my little guy naps and my older two are in school, cover it with foil, and keep it in the fridge until I’m ready to bake it. It makes my evening routine so much smoother! I have even prepped this a couple of days in advance, with perfect results. Another option? Prep it over the weekend and keep it (unbaked) in your freezer until you’re ready to eat it. Again, it’s a flexible recipe that accommodates YOUR schedule!
I have been making different versions of this casserole for years because it has been a favorite with my kids since they first learned to eat solid foods. It’s a perfect lesson in offering all types of food to your little ones – you never know what they’re going to love! I was shocked the first time that my kids devoured this Cajun specialty as toddlers, and my husband enjoys it just as much as the boys do. You can tailor the spice to suit your family’s taste buds by scaling back the seasoning or ramping it up with some hot sauce. Anything goes!
I’m sharing the full recipe today over on Wanda Ann’s blog, Memories by the Mile, so be sure to check it out. You can see the details HERE!
And if you’re looking for other delicious and simple comfort food casseroles, try these favorites:
You had me at quick and easy! I am way too busy to slave over the stove for hours for meal time. I love the jambalaya in casserole form. It’s perfect!
Thanks Jen!!
Can’t wait to try this!!! Looks so yum. Thanks Blair
Enjoy, Kristen!
Love Jambalaya But Never Had It This Way. Officially Something New For Me And My Family To Try And Im Extremely Excited To Try It
Thanks!
This looks amazing! I’ve pinned it – now I have to go get the recipe so I can try it! Stopping by from Best of the Weekend!
Thanks, Amy!!
This looks just perfect! I’m stopping over at Wanda’s place and I am going to be adding this to the menu!!
Thanks, Michelle! 🙂
All those casseroles look so good! Especially since it is so cold here in Pittsburgh. My husband loves Jambalaya so I’ll be sure to Pin this one. (found you on Made By You Mondays)
Thanks, Denise!
Ok, so I’m thinking your site is not the one I should be reading right before lunch… my stomach is literally growling and I see at least 3 recipes that I want to try NOW!!
Yay! So glad you like it!
Mmm! I love a good casserole, this looks divine! Can’t wait to try it. Pinned for later 🙂
Thanks, Jamie! 🙂
Hi Blaire, just letting you know that I am featuring your Jambalaya post on Best of the Weekend this week!
That’s wonderful, Amy! Thank you!
Yum! I love Jambalaya, although Etouffee is my favorite creole. Love how easy and (bonus!) make-ahead your recipe is! Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday.
Thanks, Rachel!
I LOVE jambalaya but never have the patience for it. This might be the solution! Looks awesome. Pinning 🙂
It is, Andrea! Thanks for the pin!
Is the small amount of liquid in the recipe enough to cook the rice without drying out the dish? It looks yummy but I am worried about the dryness.
Hi, Shanna! I’ve never had a problem with the amount of liquid in this dish, but if you check it as it’s baking and you think that it’s getting too dry before the rice is done cooking you can always add 1/4 cup of additional liquid as necessary. Also, be sure to keep it very tightly covered so that all of the liquid stays in the dish. 🙂