You don’t need to be in the Big Easy to let the good times roll right from your own kitchen. These 13 dishes will spice up your celebration with the bold flavors of the bayou, no matter where you’re partying.
![Chicken and pasta in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cajun-chicken-pasta-24-3.jpg)
Air Fryer Catfish
![Catfish fillet with cornmeal breading topped with herbs and served with spicy tartar sauce.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/catfish-in-air-fryer.jpg)
Get your Mardi Gras off to a sizzling start with Air Fryer Catfish. This recipe delivers all the Cajun flavor without the oil-splattered kitchen aftermath. Just coat, air fry, and serve with that kicky tartar sauce for a parade of taste right at home.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Catfish
Instant Pot Jambalaya
![Top view of Instant Pot jambalaya in a white bowl with shrimp and sausage.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/instant-pot-jambalaya-2.jpg)
Instant Pot Jambalaya brings the heart and soul of Louisiana to your table faster than you can catch a bead necklace. With shrimp, sausage, chicken, and rice all thrown into one magical pot, you’ll be serving up a spicy feast that’s as effortless as it is memorable.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Jambalaya
Cajun Wings
![Chicken wing flat with Cajun spices.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cajun-wings-1260177.jpg)
Ready to wing it this Mardi Gras? Cajun Wings are your ticket to flavor town, with a crispy coating that you will love. Bake or air fry these little gems and watch them disappear faster than a float on parade day.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Wings
Instant Pot Dirty Rice
![Dirty rice with ground beef in a bowl topped with green onions.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/instant-pot-dirty-rice.jpg)
For a Mardi Gras miracle that’s as dirty as Bourbon Street but way more appetizing, try Instant Pot Dirty Rice. It’s a one-pot treasure trove of beef, rice, and just the right amount of spice.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Dirty Rice
Cajun Pasta Salad
![Cajun pasta salad of noodles with celery and bell pepper.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cajun-pasta-salad-1150126.jpg)
Turn that side dish into the life of the party with a Cajun Pasta Salad that’s as vibrant as a Mardi Gras mask. Bell peppers, celery, and onion join forces with pasta, all dressed up in a creamy remoulade that’s got more kick than a brass band.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Pasta Salad
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
![An appetizing instant pot recipe bowl of beans and rice.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/instant-pot-red-beans-and-rice.jpg)
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice is your backstage pass to authentic Southern flavor with none of the hassle. This pressure cooker powerhouse turns beans, veggies, sausage, and seasoning into a New Orleans classic that’ll feed the whole krewe.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta
![Chicken and pasta in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cajun-chicken-pasta-24-3.jpg)
Let your slow cooker do the Mardi Gras march with Cajun Chicken Pasta. Spicy, creamy, and oh-so-dreamy, this dish serves up a taste of the bayou without any of the fuss. Just set it, forget it, and let the good times roll onto your plate.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta
Instant Pot Gumbo
![Bowl of gumbo with sausage and okra.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/instant-pot-gumbo.jpg)
Instant Pot Gumbo is like hitting the jackpot on a Mardi Gras slot machine—easy, quick, and satisfying. Sausage, shrimp, and okra come together in a stew that’s hearty and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Gumbo
Baked Blackened Salmon
![Two blackened salmon fillets on a plate with lemon and parsley.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/baked-blackened-salmon-MSN.jpg)
Baked Blackened Salmon is your Mardi Gras weeknight wildcard, ready in about 30 minutes and packed with smoky-spicy goodness. This oven miracle turns salmon into a savory, seasoned delight that’s sure to impress any krewe.
Get the Recipe: Baked Blackened Salmon
Cajun Steak with Grilled Patatas Bravas
![A plate filled with grilled steak, charred onions, potatoes, and creamed corn.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Grilled-Steak-With-Potatoes-Bravas-Skillet-Creamy-Corn-Not-Entirely-Average-Pic-15183.jpg)
Spice up your Mardi Gras with Cajun Steak and Grilled Patatas Bravas that’ll have your family cheering louder than a parade crowd. It’s a weeknight feast that’s fast, flavorful, and a little bit fancy.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Steak with Grilled Patatas Bravas
Cajun Dip
![A person dipping a pretzel into a bowl of cajun dip.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Cajun-Dipping-sauce.jpg)
Dip into Mardi Gras with a Cajun Dip that’s as zesty as a street jazz band. This lively concoction is perfect for dunking or spreading on all your favorite bites. It’s the quick fix to add a little NOLA flair to whatever you’re serving.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Dip
Blackened Chicken Sandwich
![Blackened chicken sandwich on a plate.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DSC_1763-2.jpg)
These Blackened Chicken Sandwiches are the MVP of Mardi Gras munchies, with just the right amount of smoky heat. Pile that juicy chicken on a toasted bun, add a swipe of mayo, and some crisp lettuce for a sandwich that’ll stand out in any Fat Tuesday feast.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Chicken Sandwich
Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Rice
![Chicken, sausage, and rice in instant pot with wooden spoon.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Instant-Pot-Cajun-Chicken-Rice.jpg)
Keep the Mardi Gras magic alive with Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Rice, a one-pot meal that’s ready before the last float passes. It’s a dish bursting with Cajun spices and everything nice, perfect for when you want big flavor without the big to-do.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Rice