Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Combine first 8 ingredients and 7 cups water in a 4-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 7 hours or until beans are tender.

Serve red bean mixture with hot cooked rice, and, if desired, hot sauce. Garnish, if desired.

Try These Twists!

Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice: Substitute frozen meatless smoked sausage, thawed and thinly sliced, for turkey sausage.

Per cup (with 1 cup rice): Calories 422; Fat 5g (sat 4g, mono 2g, poly 2g); Protein 5g; Carb 4g; Fiber 2g; Chol 0mg; Iron 1mg; Sodium 530mg; Calc 113mg

Quick Skillet Red Beans and Rice: Substitute 2 (16-oz.) cans light kidney beans, drained and rinsed, for dried beans. Reduce Creole Seasoning to 2 tsp. Cook sausage and next 4 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring often, 5 minutes or until sausage browns. Add garlic; saute 1 minute. Stir in 2 tsp. seasoning, beans, and 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes. Serve with hot cooked rice and, if desired, hot sauce. Garnish, if desired. Makes 8 cups. Hands-on Time: 26 min., Total Time: 46 min.

Per cup (with 1 cup rice): Calories 424; Fat 2g (sat 1g, mono 2g, poly 4g); Protein 2g; Carb 5g; Fiber 6g; Chol 25mg; Iron 3mg; Sodium 804mg; Calc 76mg