Mardi Gras Jambalaya Stuffed Baked Potatoes

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This spicy gluten free jambalaya recipe is a tasty dish to eat during Mardi Gras celebrations or any time! You can enjoy the jambalaya as is, or add it to baked potatoes for a fun twist on this spicy classic!

two jambalaya stuffed baked potatoes on plates

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What you need to make this:
Recipe step-by-step directions:
Ways to cook a potato:
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
More gluten free dinner ideas:
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One thing I miss since relocating to California is celebrating Mardi Gras. Dancing around to fabulous music, wearing bright colors, and getting cool plastic necklaces tossed at you during parades? Priceless.

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is a major holiday. The season is celebrated during the two weeks before Fat Tuesday and typically includes parades and family gatherings where food plays a major role.

Jambalaya is a Louisiana Creole meat and rice dish originating in France and Spain. Some even refer to it as New Orleans's version of paella. There are several good cajun spice mixes you can buy.

What you need to make this:

Potatoes - I highly recommend using russet potatoes for this recipe. They are the best for baked potatoes.
Sausage - I used Aidells Andouille Sausage, but there are many brands of gluten free sausage that I talk about below.
Onion - Use regular yellow onion or Hawaiian sweet onions.
Bell peppers- Use any color. This recipe will taste good in green, red, orange, or yellow.
Shrimp - Buy raw shrimp and make sure to peel and devein the shrimp if the ones you bought are not cleaned.
Cajun spice - I love using Zatarain's cajun seasoning in this recipe because it is gluten free. You can use other brands, but read the label to ensure they are gluten free.
Pepper jack cheese - Use any cheese you like, but I love the zing from using pepper jack in the baked potatoes.

Recipe step-by-step directions:

While rice in jambalaya is the classic way to make jambalaya, I am making mine rice-free so it can be stuffed into baked potatoes.

Step 1: If you are going to put your jambalaya into a baked potato as we did, you will need to bake the potatoes. There are so many ways to cook your potato.

Ways to cook a potato:

There are several ways to bake a potato: in the oven, microwave, and grill. Each can lend a different flavor and texture to your baked potatoes.

Oven: To bake your potato in the oven, use a fork to make slits on the top of the potato. Bake at 400º F for 45-50 minutes.
Microwave: Known as the quick and easy cheat for baked potatoes, you will want to use a fork to poke holes in the top of the baked potato. This is very important so hot air will vent out of the potato. Place the potato into a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, turn it over, add a few fork holes to this side, and microwave an additional 5 minutes until the potato feels soft.
Grilling: Poke a few holes in the top of your baked potato. Wrap each potato in aluminum foil. Place on the grill for one hour.
Air frying: It is so easy to air fry a potato. You get all of that delicious baked flavor in a fraction of the time. Air fry for 25 minutes at 400º F.

If you love potato recipes as much as we do, you will definitely want to try these Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes and these Super Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon recipes!

sausage onion pepper cooking in a cast iron pan

Step 2: While your potatoes are cooking, let's make the Jambalaya! I love using Zatarain's cajun seasoning in this recipe because it is gluten free. You can use other brands, but read the label to ensure they are gluten free.

Step 3: Heat a skillet over medium heat with cooking oil and minced garlic. Add the sliced peppers and onions and sauté for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add in shrimp, sausage, and seasoning. You can add chicken as well if you like. Cook for 20 minutes until everything is cooked and the flavors all merge together.

Step 5: Slice open the baked potatoes and add the jambalaya mixture to each potato.

the top view of two jambalaya stuffed baked potatoes on plates

You can easily control the spice by how much cajun seasoning you use. The whole family will love this easy gluten-free jambalaya recipe!

If you love Cajun food, give my easy Cajun Rice and Beans With Sausage recipe a try, too!

Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:

What kind of potato is best for baking?

For this recipe, you will want to use russet potatoes. They are larger to hold more filling and have a creamy taste that is perfect with the spicy Jambalaya.

Can you freeze jambalaya?

You can easily freeze my easy gluten free jambalaya recipe. Put it into a freezer-safe bag or container and seal it up. This will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.

How long will Jambalaya keep?

This recipe should keep fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

What sausage is best for jambalaya?

I use andouille sausage for this recipe. It has wonderful flavors. My favorite gluten free brands of andouille sausage are Aidelle's, Johnsonville, and Applegate. There are many other brands, but these three are the ones I often find in stores.