Cajun Comfort Dirty Rice Pies
These Cajun Comfort Dirty Rice Pies are a delicious twist on a classic dish, featuring a savory filling made with ground chicken, diced smoked sausage, and a medley of flavorful vegetables. Inspired by traditional dirty rice and red bean recipes, these pies offer a kid-friendly alternative that can be customized according to your tastes. The creamy bean base provides a hearty foundation for the flavorful filling, all encased in a crispy pie crust. Perfect for meal prep, these pies can be baked ahead of time and frozen for busy weeknights. Serve each slice with a sprinkle of cheese for an extra layer of flavor!
16
Servings
230
Calories
29
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pinto beans
2 (16-ounce) cans (with juice)
Red beans
1 (16-ounce) can (with juice)
Rotel tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can (drained, save juice)
Margarine or lard
2 tablespoons
Salt
1 teaspoon
Cumin
1 teaspoon
Dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon
Tabasco sauce
1/4 teaspoon (optional)
Instant mashed potatoes
2 tablespoons
Pam cooking spray
as needed
Bacon or turkey bacon
10 slices (diced)
Smoked sausage
1 lb (diced)
Cooked chicken
1 lb (diced)
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (optional)
Onion
1 (diced)
Green peppers
2 (cored, seeded, and diced)
Red pepper
1 (cored, seeded, and diced)
Thyme
1 teaspoon
Celery seed
1 teaspoon
Garlic cloves
4 (smashed and diced)
Flour or rice flour
1 1/2 tablespoons
Bay leaves
2
Hot water
4 cups
Sysco chicken base
2 teaspoons
White rice
2 cups (raw)
Salt or salt substitute
1 teaspoon
Flour or rice flour
2 tablespoons
Milk
3/4 cup
Shredded cheese
2 cups (optional)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pinto beans and red beans (including their juice), drained Rotel tomatoes, margarine, salt, cumin, dry mustard, and optional Tabasco sauce. Using a potato masher or fork, mash the mixture until smooth, ensuring it has a spreadable consistency. If the mixture is too juicy, add an additional teaspoon of instant mashed potatoes to thicken it.
2
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spray two deep dish pie pans with Pam cooking spray.
3
Divide the mashed bean mixture evenly between the two pans. Using the back of a spoon, press the mixture firmly against the bottom and sides of each pan to form a sturdy pie crust. Set aside.
4
In a large deep frying pan, cook the diced bacon (or turkey bacon) over medium heat until browned. If using turkey bacon, add vegetable oil if there isn't enough grease. Stir in the diced smoked sausage and cooked chicken, cooking until lightly browned.
5
Add the diced onion, followed by the green and red peppers. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, approximately 5 minutes.
6
Stir in the thyme, celery seed, and minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to create a roux, cooking for 2-3 minutes.
7
Add the reserved tomato juice, hot water, Sysco chicken base, bay leaves, and salt to the pan, stirring well to combine. Bring to a simmer.
8
Stir in the uncooked white rice, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 20 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
9
While the rice is cooking, place the pie crusts in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
10
After 20 minutes, remove the bay leaves from the rice mixture. In a small bowl, whisk together the additional flour and milk, then quickly stir this mixture into the rice filling until well combined.
11
Carefully spoon the meat and vegetable rice filling into the baked pie crusts, spreading it evenly. Return the pies to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes.
12
Let the pies cool for about 10 minutes before slicing into wedges. Serve warm, with optional shredded cheese on top for added flavor.
Nutrition Information
12g
Fat
23g
Carbs
9g
Protein
6g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cajun Comfort Dirty Rice Pie?
It is a savory twist on a classic Cajun dish, featuring a filling of ground chicken, smoked sausage, and vegetables inside a crust made from mashed pinto and red beans.
What type of crust is used for these pies?
The crust is unique as it is made from mashed pinto beans and red beans rather than traditional pastry dough.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 16 servings.
Can I freeze these pies for later use?
Yes, these pies are freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep; they can be baked ahead of time and frozen.
What meats are included in the filling?
The filling includes diced bacon or turkey bacon, smoked sausage, and cooked chicken.
Is there a way to make the crust thicker if it is too juicy?
If the bean mixture is too juicy, you can add an additional teaspoon of instant mashed potatoes to thicken it to a spreadable consistency.
How do I prepare the bean crust?
Combine beans with their juice, tomatoes, and spices, then mash until smooth and press firmly into the bottom and sides of the pie pans.
Do I need to blind bake the crust?
Yes, the bean crusts should be baked at 425°F for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden before adding the filling.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 230 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 9 grams of protein.
What vegetables are used in the dirty rice filling?
The filling uses onions, green peppers, red peppers, and Rotel tomatoes.
Can I use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon?
Yes, you can use turkey bacon; if you do, you may need to add vegetable oil to provide enough grease for cooking.
How long does the rice need to simmer?
The rice should simmer for 20 minutes until it is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
What spices are used in the filling?
The filling is seasoned with thyme, celery seed, garlic, and bay leaves.
How do I thicken the final rice filling?
Whisk together flour and milk in a small bowl, then quickly stir this mixture into the rice filling before assembly.
What is the final baking temperature and time?
After filling the crusts, bake the pies at 375°F for an additional 25 minutes.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, it is described as a kid-friendly alternative to traditional dirty rice recipes.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by using rice flour instead of standard flour, you can easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free.
How much fiber is in one serving?
Each serving contains 6 grams of fiber.
Should the bay leaves be removed before serving?
Yes, remove the bay leaves from the rice mixture after the 20-minute simmer and before assembling the pies.
What is the purpose of the instant mashed potatoes in the crust?
The instant mashed potatoes act as a binder to help the bean crust maintain a sturdy, spreadable consistency.
What kind of rice is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of raw white rice.
How long should the pies cool before slicing?
Let the pies cool for about 10 minutes to allow the filling to set before cutting into wedges.
What should I serve with the Dirty Rice Pies?
They are delicious served warm with a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top.
How many grams of fat are in a serving?
There are 12 grams of fat per serving.
Can I use a salt substitute?
Yes, the recipe allows for either salt or a salt substitute.
What size bean cans are required?
The recipe uses two 16-ounce cans of pinto beans and one 16-ounce can of red beans.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 smashed and diced garlic cloves.
Is the Tabasco sauce required?
No, the Tabasco sauce is optional and can be adjusted based on your heat preference.
Can I use lard instead of margarine?
Yes, the recipe specifies that you can use either margarine or lard for the bean crust mixture.