Easy Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

This quick and easy red beans and rice with sausage is thick and creamy with all the flavors of New Orleans everyone loves.  Ready to eat in 20 minutes!  Creamy creole red beans, smoked sausage, cajun seasoning, and trinity simmered together & served over hot cooked rice.

Quick Note:  This post was originally published in February 2018 and was updated in November 2020.  It contains Amazon affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement for details. Thank you.

A homemade meal doesn’t necessarily have to take a long time to put together!  Whether you have a full-time job outside the home, or you’re a stay at home parent, everybody can appreciate the effort you’ve taken to prepare a hot meal; no matter how much time the meal took to prepare.

Red Beans and Rice is a great meal any time of the year (not just on Mondays, anymore)! Traditionally served during Mardi Gras, but we eat it all year round.  Some people think of it as southern comfort food. My Cajun family will eat this meal any day of the week and any time of the year!

Growing up, my family ate rice way more often than we ate potatoes!  It probably has something to do with our Louisiana family heritage.  Both sets of my grandparents (and many generations before them) were born and raised in St. James Parish, Louisiana.  My mother is (and my grandmothers were) an exceptional cook. We grew up on all sorts of rice dishes such as jambalaya, shrimp creole, crawfish etouffee, and seafood gumbo.  Check out my Easy Cajun Shrimp and Rice Casserole!

What makes this recipe easy and quick is simply using canned red beans.  Yes, I said “canned beans” and we love them!  But not just any canned red beans will do.  The canned Blue Runner Creole Red Beans are amazing because they’re smooth, creamy, and flavorful.

Do you have to soak red beans? 

Not if you make this recipe!!  Using the creole canned red beans is a huge time saver vs. soaking dry beans. First, you don’t have to prepare the dry beans for soaking the night before.  Second, you don’t have to wonder, “how do you thicken red beans and rice”?  Third, you can be eating red beans and rice with sausage when the craving hits and not have to wait for the beans to soak!  Outstanding.

When you combine the thick & creamy creole red beans with a can of regular red beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans, the consistency is perfect!  Is there anybody out there who likes soupy red beans & rice?  The answer is no!

Another time-saving tip is to use the frozen chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery mix (seasoning blend) that’s in your grocery store’s frozen vegetable section.  (If you don’t like the idea of using the convenient frozen blend, or if you already have fresh veggies on hand, then by all means, use the fresh ingredients instead.  Use about 1 cup chopped onion, 1 cup chopped bell pepper, and 1/2 cup chopped celery). The mixture of onion, bell pepper, and celery is commonly referred to as the “trinity” in cajun and creole cooking.

Ingredients

(please refer to the actual recipe card for complete details)

• Sausage (andouille or Conecuh hickory smoked sausage)
• Frozen chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery “seasoning blend” (see recipe card if using fresh veggies)
• Red beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans (undrained)
• Blue Runner Creole Cream Style Red Beans
• Olive oil
• Dried Parsley
• Minced Garlic
• Dried basil
• Cajun seasoning (Tony Chachere’s or Slap ya Mama)
• Cooked rice (prepare yourself or buy cooked rice such as Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice).

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Large (minimum 5-quart) heavy duty pot w/cover (I love my Calphalon pot that I use for this recipe and my jambalaya recipe.  This pot is worth every penny and has lasted for over 15 years)

Sharp knife

Cutting board

Can opener

Measuring spoons

Step by Step Instructions

STEP 1: Saute the sliced sausage in the olive oil until the sausage is slightly browned, about 5 minutes.  

Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery and saute until tender, for about 5 minutes (saute an additional 5 minutes if using fresh vegetables).  For best results, use a heavy-duty pot. 

STEP 2: Add the undrained red beans (I prefer the pinto beans with bacon), Blue Runner creole beans, and seasonings. Mix well and gently simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. See Note #1 below. 

STEP 3: Serve with cooked rice.  (See Note #2 below). Enjoy with crusty french bread or even hot cornbread!

Notes:  (1) This recipe makes a medium-thick “sauce.”  If you prefer a more “liquidy” consistency, add 1/4 cup of chicken broth but I don’t recommend adding any more than that, or you may end up with a soupy texture! (2) To save even more time, use the pre-cooked rice that comes in a pouch (man oh man, now we’re taking it to the next level with the time-saving tricks).  

Creamy Creole Red Beans

The Blue Runner Creole Red Beans are the secret to a thick, creamy texture.  You should be able to easily find them near the canned red beans.  If not available in your area, you can find them here Blue Runner Creole Cream Style Red Beans.    

Traditional Side Dishes

French bread is the most popular side served with red beans and rice.  Cornbread, turnip greens, and a simple salad are all great choices, too.

Storing in the Freezer

Yes, this freezes well.  Allow the red beans and sausage and rice to completely cool off.  Then place into a freezer container or sealable plastic freezer bag (write the date on the bag so you can easily remember it). Frozen red beans and sausage and rice will stay fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge the day before you plan to eat if. Reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.

Storing in the Refrigerator

Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids.  Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco, available now on Amazon.   

Quick and Easy Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

Enjoy a scrumptious plate of red beans and rice with sausage that is ready to eat in under 30 minutes!  If you are looking for a quick and easy recipe for delicious red beans and rice, then look no further.  The best quick red beans and rice recipe this side of the Mississippi!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin For Later Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 527kcal

Equipment

• Large (minimum 5-quart) heavy duty pot w/cover
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• measuring spoons

Ingredients

• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into 1-inch discs (andouille sausage or Conecuh sausage)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 10-oz bag frozen seasoning blend (pre-chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery)*
• 15.5-oz can red beans (or pinto beans with bacon), undrained
• 16-oz can Blue Runner Creole Cream Style Red Beans
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp cajun seasoning (such as Tony's)
• cooked rice

Instructions

• Saute the sliced sausage in the oil until the sausage is slightly browned, about 5 minutes.  Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery seasoning blend. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes (saute 5 additional minutes if using fresh vegetables).  
• Add the undrained red beans (I prefer the pinto beans with bacon), creole cream style red beans, and seasonings. Mix well and gently simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.
• Stir. Serve with hot cooked rice.  
• *if using fresh veggies, use 1 cup chopped onion, 1 cup diced bell pepper, and 1/2 cup diced celery

Notes

(A) Super time-saving tip:  Use the precooked rice that comes in a pouch.  (B) Store leftover red beans and rice in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

(B) NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED DOES NOT INCLUDE THE RICE.

Tried this recipe?Mention @mykitchenserenity or tag #mykitchenserenity on Instagram!!

Nutrition

Serving: 13.6oz | Calories: 527kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4.5g | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 3g

Please leave me a comment if you make this recipe.  I’d love to hear from you.

Some of the items used for this recipe include:

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