Homemade Copycat Zatarans Jambalaya Recipe

Okay, before you ask, I will ask for you. “What does a Copycat Zatarans Jambalaya recipe have to do with a fused glass artist?” Well, like you, I need to eat to live. I also happen to have a bunch of kids at home. And maybe you are looking in your pantry during this quarantine wondering what to cook your family for dinner, unknowingly having all of the ingredients to Jambalaya!

Friend, let me help. THIS is what you want for dinner. My babies (ages 1 & 2) devour Zatarans Jambalya, so it was a test to see if they would be fooled by this recipe. They were!

The following recipe is for a pretty equal rice-to-meat ratio and fed five of us comfortably. Next time, I will double the recipe’s rice and seasonings to be plenty for the kids who enjoy second helpings.

INGREDIENTS: Remember, for more rice to meat ratio, double everything except the meat(s).

• 1 cup of uncooked white rice
• 1 tablespoon of parsley flakes
• 1 tablespoon of dried onion flakes
• 1/2 tablespoon of dried celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 2 cups beef stock (honestly, we forgot and used water and it was still tasty!)
• 1/2 Green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 8 ounces of tomato sauce (remember to double this if you are doubling rice!)
• 1 pound kielbasa cut into rounds (or sausage and/or shrimp)

Instructions:

1. If you are using an uncooked meat like sausage and/or shrimp, cook in a saucepan with the tomato sauce. If not, continue to step two.
2. Bring beef stock to boil in a large skillet.
3. Add bell pepper, rice, seasonings, tomato sauce and cooked meat. Stir.
4. Return to boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 15-25 minutes, until the rice is tender.

Seriously, that’s it. Made just like the box, tastes very similar to the box, but with ingredients we already had in the pantry! Like I mentioned before, I only made the one serving for the 5 of us (two adults, three kids under 7) and it fed us comfortably, but I will double the recipe for the kiddos that enjoy seconds.

Alright! Time to get back to glass! Let me know if you try the recipe and if you think there is something to change!

With all my hart,

Angel Barnhart