🍤 Stacked Shrimp Dirty Rice

by

Savory, spicy, and packed with flavor—this Stacked Shrimp Dirty Rice combines ground beef, pork sausage, and shrimp for a Southern-inspired dish that’s hearty enough to be the main event. One pan, bold flavors, and pure comfort!

Servings & Timing

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes

  • Cook Time: 25 minutes

  • Total Time: 35 minutes

  • Servings: 6

Dietary Badges: Southern Classic | High Protein | One-Pan Meal | Comfort Food

Ingredients

→ Protein & Veggies

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 lb ground pork sausage

  • 10–12 shrimp, tail off, deveined

→ Rice & Flavor

  • 4 cups cooked rice

  • 2 cups broth (Better Than Bouillon chicken recommended)

  • 1½ cups mixed onions and bell peppers, chopped

→ Seasoning & Oil

  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil, divided

  • 1 tsp seafood seasoning (Old Bay or Creole seasoning works great)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Meat
    Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and sausage. Cook until browned and crumbled. Remove and set aside.

  2. Sauté the Shrimp
    In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil. Season shrimp with seafood seasoning. Cook shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet.

  3. Sauté Veggies
    Add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Sauté onions and bell peppers until soft and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.

  4. Combine & Simmer
    Add cooked rice, meat mixture, and broth to the skillet. Stir well to combine. Let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  5. Top with Shrimp
    Layer the cooked shrimp over the rice mixture just before serving—this is your “stacked” moment!

  6. Serve
    Spoon onto plates or serve straight from the skillet. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

Quick Tips

  • Use cooked rice that’s slightly cooled for the best texture—freshly made rice can get too sticky.

  • Tail-off shrimp makes for easier eating—this is a fork-and-spoon dish!

  • For extra heat, add Cajun seasoning or hot sauce to taste.

💡 Introduction

Stacked Shrimp Dirty Rice is a Southern classic, but this version adds a little extra flair—ground beef, spicy sausage, and perfectly seasoned shrimp stacked right on top for the ultimate one-pan dinner.

I love making this when I’m craving bold, savory flavors but still want something easy and family-friendly. It’s a great “clean out the fridge” meal too because it’s so flexible. Whether you’re hosting friends or feeding a hungry crew at home, this dish hits the spot every time.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

🍳 Brown the Meat

Browning the beef and sausage gives you those delicious crispy bits—don’t skip this step for flavor!

🦐 Cook the Shrimp

Season well and cook just until pink and curled. Overcooked shrimp get rubbery, so watch closely.

🥕 Sauté the Veggies

Use a mix of onions and bell peppers for sweetness and color. You can add celery for a traditional dirty rice “trinity.”

🍚 Combine & Stack

Mix everything together, simmer with broth for rich flavor, and top with shrimp at the end for that stacked presentation.

Ingredient Insights & Swaps

  • Rice: Use white, brown, or cauliflower rice for W-W-friendly options.

  • Protein: Ground turkey or chicken sausage can replace pork for a lighter version.

  • Shrimp: Fresh or frozen both work—just be sure they’re deveined and tail-off.

  • Seasoning: Seafood seasoning brings balance, but Cajun spice works too. Adjust for spice preference.

Variations & Serving Ideas

Flavor Variations

  • 🌶️ Add jalapeños for heat.

  • 🍋 Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp before serving.

  • 🧄 Stir in extra garlic or Creole mustard for boldness.

Dietary Tweaks

  • W-W-Friendly:

    • Use 93% lean ground turkey

    • Replace sausage with turkey sausage

    • Use cauliflower rice to lower carbs

  • Low-Carb: Sub rice with riced cauliflower and reduce broth by half.

Serving Ideas

  • Serve with cornbread or garlic bread.

  • Pair with collard greens or a fresh cucumber-tomato salad.

  • Top with green onions and a drizzle of hot sauce for extra punch.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Storage

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheating

  • Reheat in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth to revive the texture.

Freezing

  • Freeze the rice and meat mix separately from the shrimp for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving – 6 total)

  • Calories: ~510 kcal

  • Protein: 32g

  • Carbs: 28g

  • Fat: 28g

  • W-W Points (est.): 9–11 with modifications

  • Allergens: Shellfish

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
A: Yes! It reheats well. Just keep the shrimp separate until serving to maintain texture.

Q: Can I skip the shrimp?
A: Absolutely—this is still a great dirty rice recipe without it. Use just beef and sausage or add chicken.

Q: What’s the best rice to use?
A: Long-grain white rice is traditional, but brown rice or cauliflower rice work well for lighter options.

🧡 Kristy’s Note

This Stacked Shrimp Dirty Rice is a comfort food dream—savory, a little spicy, and loaded with protein. It’s my go-to for feeding a crowd or when I need a meal that’s bold but still easy to make W-W-friendly with just a few tweaks.

More Southern Comfort Meals

  • Cajun Chicken & Rice Skillet

  • W-W-Friendly Shrimp & Grits

  • One-Pan Turkey Dirty Rice

💬 Let’s Get Stacking!

Have you tried this Stacked Shrimp Dirty Rice? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your photos and tag me on Instagram @KristyCooksHealthy with #DirtyRiceGlowUp—let’s bring the flavor!

Leave a Comment