47 New Orleans-Inspired Recipes for Mardi Gras

Read Time: 21 mins

47 New Orleans-Inspired Recipes for Mardi Gras2/47 Traditional New Orleans King Cake 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 1 cake (12 pieces) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Get in on the fun of traditional king cake by hiding a little toy baby in the cake. Whoever finds it has one year of good luck! —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 321 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 313mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. Check out these other Fat Tuesday

recipes that are so delicious

recipes that are so delicious. 3/47 Louisiana Red Beans and Rice 19 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Louisiana Red Beans and Rice Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 20 min Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Smoked turkey sausage and red pepper flakes add zip to this saucy, slow-cooked version of Louisiana red beans and rice. For extra heat, add red pepper sauce at the table. —Julia Bushree, Georgetown, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without rice): 291 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol,

1070mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 13g fiber), 24g protein

1070mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 13g fiber), 24g protein. 4/47 Mini Muffuletta 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Mini Muffuletta Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: People love these hearty little sandwich wedges. The New Orleans recipe is great for a party and can be made the day before.—Gareth Craner, Minden, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1 wedge: 119 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 537mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. 5/47 Crawfish Etouffee 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total

Etouffee is typically served with shellfish over rice and is similar to gumbo

Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to serve this Cajun sensation when I entertain. Etouffee is typically served with shellfish over rice and is similar to gumbo. This recipe has its roots in New Orleans and the bayou country of Louisiana. —Tamra Duncan, Lincoln, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 251 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 688mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. 6/47 Beignets 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved New Orleans Beignets Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings

They’re a traditional part of breakfast in New Orleans

4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These sweet French doughnuts, inspired by the ones found in Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, are square instead of round and have no hole in the middle. They’re a traditional part of breakfast in New Orleans. —Beth Dawson, Jackson, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 beignet: 108 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 146mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. Paczki are another Fat Tuesday tradition. 7/47 Passion Fruit Hurricanes 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Passion Fruit Hurricanes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10

During chilly times of the year,

min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that’s so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 340 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 8/47 Jambalaya 164 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Forgotten Jambalaya Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 50 min Servings 11 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: During chilly times of the year,

I fix this jambalaya at least once a month

I fix this jambalaya at least once a month. It’s so easy—just chop the vegetables, dump everything in the slow cooker and forget it! Even my sons, who are picky about spicy things, like this dish. —Cindi Coss, Coppell, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup jambalaya: 230 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1016mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. 9/47 Bourbon Pecan Pralines 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 1 pound (about 16 pralines) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Like authentic pecan pralines found in New Orleans, these treats

are sweet, crunchy and rich!

are sweet, crunchy and rich! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 praline: 183 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 28mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 10/47 New Orleans Gumbo 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been making this New Orleans recipe for at least 30 years. I’m originally from New Orleans, and I think it’s a nice taste of the Vieux Carre (French Quarter). Everyone who tastes this gumbo wants the recipe. It’s an old

standby for my family, who requests it frequently

standby for my family, who requests it frequently. —Dolores M. Bridges, Danville, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 339 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 841mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 11/47 Mardi Gras Cupcakes 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Take these simple Mardi Gras treats to a get-together and watch them disappear. Kids will love to help decorate them with the colorful sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee,

Now it’s effortless comfort food I make for my own family

Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cupcake: 276 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 217mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 12/47 Quick & Easy New Orleans Shrimp 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quick & Easy New Orleans Shrimp Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve simplified my mom’s Shrimp Creole—she made it for us growing up. Now it’s effortless comfort food I make for my own family. —Crystal Milne, Urbana, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups with 3/4 cup cooked rice: 371 calories,

Use perfectly ripe bananas for best results

10g fat (2g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 720mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 24g protein. 13/47 The Best Bananas Foster 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Quick Bananas Foster Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Guests are always impressed when I ignite the rum in this delicious bananas Foster dessert. Use perfectly ripe bananas for best results. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 567 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 224mg sodium, 80g carbohydrate (72g

sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein

sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. 14/47 Pretzel-Crusted Catfish 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pretzel-Crusted Catfish Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my books. This combination of flavors just works for me. It’s wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with butter and honey. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet: 610 calories, 31g fat (4g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 1579mg

sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein

sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein. 15/47 Vegan Jambalaya 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Vegan Jambalaya Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This flavorful entree won’t leave you hungry since it uses convenient canned beans in place of meat. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 281 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 796mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein. 16/47 Fried Okra 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings

My sons like to dip them in ketchup

2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, these okra nuggets are crunchy and addictive! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 200 calories, 12g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein. 17/47 Creole Scallop Cakes Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Creole Scallop Cakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 20 scallop cakes (1-1/2 cups aioli) Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 1 scallop cake with 1 tablespoon

Turns out they’re easy!

aioli: 169 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 291mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. 18/47 Springtime Beignets & Berries 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Springtime Beignets & Berries Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they’re easy! Sometimes I’ll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 beignet: 74 calories,

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community