Hearty Cajun Sausage, White Bean, and Rice Stew: A Stovetop Delight for the Whole Family

In search of a comforting yet incredibly simple dinner that brings everyone to the table? Look no further than this delightful Cajun Sausage, White Bean, and Rice Stew. Crafted for ease and packed with flavor, this stovetop masterpiece combines the savory goodness of smoked sausage, the creamy texture of white beans, and the vibrant freshness of tomatoes and bell peppers, all brought together with perfectly cooked UNCLE BEN’S® rice. It’s a complete meal that promises warmth, satisfaction, and a touch of Southern charm, making it an instant family favorite.

Life can be hectic, especially when you’re navigating the demands of travel or a move, as I recently experienced in the sweltering Texas summer. The last thing anyone wants to do is crank up a hot oven. That’s precisely when the magic of stovetop cooking shines through! This recipe was born from a desire for a delicious, hearty meal without overheating the kitchen, blending the robust flavors of Cajun cuisine with the comforting elements often found in Italian cooking. The result? A flavorful, fuss-free dish that delivers on taste without compromising on convenience.

The beauty of this stew lies in its simple yet impactful ingredients. Smoked sausage (or spicy andouille for an authentic kick), colorful bell peppers, aromatic onions and garlic, ripe tomatoes, tender white beans, and the star of convenience – UNCLE BEN’S® Boil-In-Bag Long Grain Rice. These quick and easy rice packets have been a staple in my pantry for years, perfect for transforming simple side dishes or enhancing the heartiness of casseroles, soups, and stews like this one. They consistently cook up fluffy and tender, requiring just 10 minutes on the stovetop, making them an invaluable ally for busy weeknights.

From Pantry Staples to a Family Feast: The Inspiration Behind the Dish

This heartwarming stew originated from a practical necessity: cleaning out the cabinets before a big move. It’s amazing what culinary treasures can emerge when you’re focused on using what you have! With a medley of fresh vegetables, beloved pantry staples like rice and beans, and a bit of creativity, this dish quickly evolved into a robust yet healthy weeknight meal, ready in approximately 30 minutes of active cooking. My partner, with his Cajun cooking roots, and I, with my Italian passion for cannellini beans and fresh summer tomatoes, found common ground in this delicious fusion. It was a resounding success around our dinner table, even earning a rare seal of approval from my usually picky two-year-old daughter. That, my friends, is when you know you’ve struck gold!

Why This Cajun Stew Will Become Your Go-To Recipe

Beyond its delicious taste, this Cajun Sausage, White Bean, and Rice Stew offers numerous benefits that make it an essential addition to your recipe repertoire. It’s incredibly versatile, allowing for easy substitutions and additions based on what you have on hand or what your family prefers. The combination of protein from the sausage and beans, complex carbohydrates from the rice, and a bounty of vitamins from the vegetables makes it a well-rounded and nutritious meal. Plus, its one-pot (or mostly one-pot) nature means less cleanup, a huge win on any busy day. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, the straightforward steps ensure success every time, delivering a deeply satisfying dish that tastes like it took hours, but only requires a fraction of the time.

Simple Steps to a Flavorful Stovetop Stew

Ready to embark on your own culinary adventure and cook up this incredibly flavorful sausage and white bean stew? The steps are genuinely simple, making it an ideal recipe to involve the whole family, especially younger cooks. Engaging children in the cooking process, from washing vegetables to stirring and seasoning, is a wonderful way to foster their interest in food and encourage them to try new tastes. It also instills a sense of accomplishment and pride when they sit down to enjoy a meal they helped create!

Here’s how to bring this comforting stew to life: Begin by preparing your rice. Bring a small pot of water to a boil and add one packet of UNCLE BEN’S® Boil-In-Bag Rice. Let it cook uncovered for about 8 minutes. While the rice is busy transforming into fluffy perfection, you can get your vegetables sizzling. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, pour in some olive oil and heat it over medium flame. Once shimmering, add your diced onions, minced garlic, and colorful bell peppers. Sauté them until they become tender and fragrant, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Next, introduce your sliced smoked sausage, cooking until it’s nicely warmed through and slightly browned, typically 2-3 minutes. Season the mixture with kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a touch of cayenne pepper for that signature Cajun warmth. Finally, stir in your chopped tomatoes and drained and rinsed cannellini beans. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, and let the flavors meld for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

For those who prefer a thinner, more soup-like consistency, feel free to stir in a small amount of warm water or chicken broth, adding a little at a time until you achieve your desired texture. If you find you’ve added too much liquid, simply let the stew simmer uncovered for a bit longer, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate and the flavors to concentrate further. The beauty of this recipe is its forgiving nature; there’s truly no going wrong with this hearty, satisfying, and deeply flavorful sausage stew! Once the rice is cooked, drain it and gently fold it into the stew, simmering for another 5 minutes until heated through. Garnish with fresh green onions for a touch of freshness and serve warm.

Cooking Together: Fostering Healthy Habits with Ben’s Beginners™

Now, for something truly exciting and impactful! In a wonderful collaboration with the UNCLE BEN’S® Brand, I am passionate about encouraging parents and children to cook together. This initiative stems from a shared belief that families who cook and eat together cultivate children who are more likely to make smarter, healthier meal choices throughout their lives. It’s about more than just food; it’s about building foundational life skills and creating lasting memories in the kitchen.

To champion this philosophy, the UNCLE BEN’S® Brand proudly hosts the fifth annual Ben’s Beginners™ Cooking Contest. This fantastic contest aims to ignite children’s interest in cooking, transforming meal preparation into an enjoyable and educational activity for every member of the family. Ben’s Beginners™ provides a unique platform for parents to connect with their children, one delicious meal at a time, reinforcing the joy and benefits of shared culinary experiences. Recognizing the demands of modern family life, UNCLE BEN’S® READY RICE® offers an extensive range of white, whole grain brown, specialty, and flavored rice products that cook in a mere 90 seconds. These convenient options are perfect for families seeking to get wholesome meals on the dinner table quickly, without compromising on quality or taste.

Join the Fun: Enter the Ben’s Beginners™ Cooking Contest!

We invite you to participate in the Ben’s Beginners™ Cooking Contest! Parents with children in kindergarten through eighth grade are encouraged to submit photos or videos showcasing their families preparing a delicious rice-based meal together. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate family bonding, culinary creativity, and healthy eating habits. You can find more comprehensive information about Ben’s Beginners™, including contest rules and submission guidelines, by visiting unclebens.com. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to inspire your young chefs and create memorable moments in the kitchen.

Stay connected with UNCLE BEN’S® for more recipes, tips, and contest updates! Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube. Let’s make cooking a joyous and enriching experience for every family!

Cajun Sausage, White Bean and Rice Stew

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
35 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 bag UNCLE BEN’S® Boil-In-Bag Rice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, small diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 1 lb. smoked sausage or andouille sausage, cut into slices
• 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more (to taste)
• 3 Roma tomatoes, deseeded and chopped
• 2 15 oz. cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 3-4 green onions, chopped, optional

Instructions

1. Cooking with kids? Involve them by letting them wash and dry the vegetables. This is a great first step for young helpers.
2. Meanwhile, cook the UNCLE BEN’S® Boil-In-Bag rice according to package instructions for stovetop cooking. Once done, carefully remove the bag from water, empty the fluffy rice into a bowl, and set it aside.
3. Set a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with a lid to medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and all bell peppers (green, red, and yellow). Cook, letting kids carefully stir every few minutes with a long-handled spoon, until the vegetables are softened and wonderfully fragrant, which typically takes about 10 minutes. Next, add the sausage slices; continue to cook and stir until the sausage is warmed through and slightly browned, approximately 2-3 minutes. Now, invite your young chefs to stir in the kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and cayenne pepper to season the vegetables and sausage to taste. Finally, add the chopped tomatoes and the drained and rinsed cannellini beans, stirring gently to combine. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes, allowing all the flavors to deepen and meld together beautifully.
4. After simmering, stir in the previously cooked UNCLE BEN’S® rice. Continue to simmer until the rice is thoroughly warmed through, about 5 minutes. If you desire a thinner consistency for your stew, show your little cook how to add small amounts of warm water or chicken broth at a time, stirring until you reach your preferred texture.
5. Spoon the hot, flavorful stew into individual serving bowls. Let your kid take pride in topping each bowl with chopped green onions, if desired, adding a fresh burst of flavor and color.
6. Serve warm and enjoy this hearty, family-friendly meal together!

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