Description
This Cajun White Beans and Rice recipe brings together creamy white beans, smoky sausage, and bold Cajun spices for the ultimate Louisiana-inspired comfort food. Simmered to perfection, this dish is rich, hearty, and full of down-home flavor — perfect for weeknights or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beans:
- 1 lb dried white beans (navy or great northern), soaked overnight or quick-soaked
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz smoked sausage or andouille, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Rice:
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 4 cups water or broth
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the beans
- If using dried beans, soak overnight or use the quick-soak method (boil for 5 minutes, then let rest for 1 hour). Drain and rinse.
- Sauté aromatics and sausage
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add sausage and cook until browned (about 5 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Sauté 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Simmer the beans
- Add beans, chicken broth, bay leaves, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until beans are tender.
- Mash for creaminess
- Use a spoon to mash some beans against the side of the pot to create a thicker texture.
- Return sausage to the pot and simmer another 10 minutes.
- Cook the rice
- In a separate pot, bring water (or broth) and salt to a boil.
- Add rice, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15–18 minutes until fluffy.
- Serve
- Spoon rice into bowls and top generously with Cajun white beans. Garnish with green onions or hot sauce if desired.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT1H15M
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 40mg