Jambalaya is a famous dish from New Orleans or the Big Easy. It is a rich dish filled with spices and different flavors. Each family makes their jambalaya slightly differently, but the methods are the same. It takes hours of tending to produce an amazing jambalaya. Thankfully, it can easily be made in the slow cooker! Here are 12 different jambalaya recipes for you to try, in honor of Mardi Gras! For a little more speed, try these instant pot jambalaya recipes.
This easy slow cooker recipe uses chicken, andouille sausage, and shrimp. It is seasoned with oregano, parsley, cayenne, thyme, and Cajun seasoning. You can find Cajun seasoning in the premixed spices section.
This recipe makes even a beginner’s chef’s approach to cooking a traditionally Cajun dish easy and less intimidating since the slow cooker is doing most of the work.
https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/slow-cooker-jambalaya/ Photo & Recipe HERE: Spicy Southern Kitchen
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What is Pastalaya? Well, it’s exactly what you’d guess…a fusion between pasta and Jambalaya (which is traditionally served us with rice).
This is a great spin on the dish, that keeps things fresh and exciting, especially if you’re used to having the original kind just a few times too many.
https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/creamy-cajun-pastalaya/ Photo & Recipe HERE: Jo Cooks
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This classic jambalaya recipe has only sausage and shrimp. This recipe goes easy on the spices, so if you like it hot then add cayenne to your tastes. If you want your dish to be even milder, then replace the sausage with leftover ham.
Easy to make on the stovetop, and perfectly put together in flavors, this one is not to be missed.
https://www.noshtastic.com/jambalaya-recipe/ Photo & Recipe HERE: Nostastic
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While many will adhere to the classic ways of Jambalaya with shrimp, sausage & chicken – there are many who crave its famous tastes, but without the use of any animal byproducts.
Not to worry! This recipe is everything you’ve been missing, and nothing that you haven’t been. Now you too can participate in Jambalaya night! Cooking for a crowd? Just side cook the other ingredients, and have them as optional add-ins!
http://www.cilantroandcitronella.com/vegan-jambalaya/ Photo & Recipe HERE: Cilantro & Citronella
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Make your jambalaya paleo or ketogenic diet friendly and lower the carbohydrate count by using cauliflower rice. Process a whole head of cauliflower in the food processor, and add it to the crockpot in the last half hour of cooking.
The cauliflower will get a great texture, similar to rice (so it won’t be missed) but offer all the flavors you’re seeking in a jambalaya, with way fewer carbs.
https://detoxinista.com/healthy-creole-style-cauliflower-jambalaya/ Photo & Recipe HERE: Detox Inista
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You might think that jambalaya just simply cannot be a family meal when kids are involved purely for the fact that spice and kids typically don’t mix. The last thing you need is a kid turning their nose up at dinner, too.
So, instead try this recipe that’s milder in flavor and spice for little ones, but that the whole family can still enjoy!
https://www.superhealthykids.com/one-pot-jambalaya-kids/ Photo & Recipe HERE: Super Healthy Kids
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Jambalaya is a delicious dinner option, it’s no wonder it’s so popular. It’s hearty, warm, easy to serve and a perfect all-in-one dish. However, it’s not exactly super healthy or low in calories.
If you’re a little health conscious or have a diet to adhere to, substituting out the rice or pasta for spaghetti squash is a perfect solution
https://goodcheapeats.com/2016/09/spaghetti-squash-jambalaya/?utm_content=buffer28514&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_campaign=budgetbytesbuffer Photo & Recipe HERE: Good Cheap Eats
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We’ve already talked about “pastalaya”, but this recipe takes it on a little bit of a different track, and a somewhat easier one too! Hey, easy is always better.
This recipe is truly made in only one pot, making it perfect for weeknights when the thought of doing a mound of dishes is the last thing you need.
https://www.unicornsinthekitchen.com/one-pan-jambalaya-pasta/ Photo & Recipe HERE: Unicorns In The Kitchen
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We love sheet pan dinner, so much so we devoted an entire Pinterest board to them. So it’s no wonder that this jambalaya is making the list of best recipes.
This unique way of cooking leaves very little for clean up, and even less need for hands-on prep, since most of the work is done by the oven! This is definitely a must try.
https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chelseas-messy-apron-11239419/one-pan-jambalaya-5490841567 Photo & Recipe HERE: BlogLovin’
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Looking for something that’s a little more comforting? Try making a jambalaya soup. Between the meal itself and the spice of the broth, you’ll feel the warmth in more ways than one.
This soup is also a little bit more health conscious, since you’re filling up on broth and not all just carbs from the rice. Still packs all the flavors, in a new an unique way of serving.
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/jambalaya-soup/ Photo & Recipe HERE: Gimme Some Oven
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A perfect addition to game night! Make this incredible warm dip, served up in a cast iron or casserole dish, and spread over crackers or tortilla chips for a truly unreal experience.
This is a creamy rendition of a jambalaya, but with everything else you know and love. Don’t miss out on this dip at your next function!
https://ourlifetastesgood.blogspot.ca/2016/02/skillet-jambalaya-dip.html Photos & Recipe HERE: Our Life Tastes Good
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Ok, vegheads – we have a second option for you! This recipe is a little different that the other one we highlight, with the use of a few different ingredients and a amp up in spice.
This is a truly versatile recipe that is easily adapted to add different types of proteins or veggies you feel may compliment it along the way. However you choose to have it, there’s absolutely no meat required to love it.
http://www.delishifull.com/spicy-vegan-jambalaya/ Photos & Recipe HERE: Delishifull
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Since successfully losing 100lbs by changing her relationship with food and her body, Sarah has taken her passion for food and balanced it between cucumbers and cupcakes. When she's not bustling her way around a kitchen, you can find her working out or winding down at home with her 3 kids and pug. Follow Sarah's journey on Instagram @TheBirdsPapaya.