Not in New Orleans? These Mardis Gras Recipes Will Make Up For That

Craving the flavors of the South? Oh, do we have the recipe for you. This shrimp étouffée features mouthwatering shrimp that's drenched in rich tomato sauce and sprinkled with vibrant seasonings. This dish will make your whole home smell good, so make sure you whip up enough for everyone.

Get the recipe: shrimp étouffée

If you've ever been to Café du Monde, you know how magical a beignet can be. This recipe brings the best of beignets to your kitchen, giving Café du Monde a run for its money. Since you can put the dough in the fridge overnight, this recipe makes it ultra easy to make these sweet treats whenever the cravings strike.

Get the recipe: overnight beignets

Breakfast is served! This muffaletta quiche is filled to the brim with chopped olives, roasted red peppers, ham, salami, mortadella, and provolone cheese. You'll notice that all the ingredients in this dish are consistent with the ones in the iconic New Orleans sandwich that everyone loves so much, so cheers to that.

Get the recipe: muffaletta quiche

You'll get forkfuls of zesty chicken, shrimp, sausage, rice, and vegetables when you dive into this one-pot recipe. With a sauce that's too good to be true, we recommend making an extra batch of jambalaya so you can fully indulge.

Get the recipe: jambalaya

Make potato salad even better when you cook up this exciting recipe. With Creole mustard, hard-boiled eggs, celery, green onions, parsley, and sour cream, this side dish is creamy, rich, and hearty.

Get the recipe: Creole potato salad

Imagine: a Cajun-style fettuccine Alfredo. Yum! This quick pasta recipe only takes 20 minutes to make, and it features shrimp, andouille sausage, peppers, and garlic. Whip it up whenever you're missing the flavors of the South.

Get the recipe: Mardi Gras pasta

If you're in need of an authentic shrimp gumbo recipe, it doesn't get much better than this. Inspired by true New Orleans gumbo recipes, this dish is filled with andouille sausage, juicy shrimp, and all the best Cajun seasonings.

Get the recipe: shrimp gumbo

Laissez les bon temps rouler! These donut holes will get the good times rollin' with every bite. These sweet treats make for a fun dessert table addition, and also pair well with lazy mornings and coffee. Topped off with fun sprinkles, these treats are worthy of praise.

Get the recipe: Mardi Gras donut holes

Full of flavors that will burst in your mouth, these stuffed peppers have all the Cajun comfort food feels you need. You'll bite into warm peppers that are loaded to the brim with red beans and rice, meaning your taste buds will thank you.

Get the recipe: red beans and rice stuffed peppers

Get the greatest flavors of gumbo right here when you make this wow-worthy recipe. Shrimp, crab, chicken andouille sausage, and okra work together to make this authentic spicy Cajun meal come to life. Served over rice or grits, this gumbo will transport you to Louisiana in no time.

Get the recipe: seafood gumbo

Bow down, because this king cake recipe reigns above all. With bright, fun flavors and the iconic colors of the celebration, this cake will give anyone a sugar rush. Enjoy!

Get the recipe: Mardi Gras king cake

If you're in the mood for gumbo, this easy and quick recipe is just what you need. With every spoonful you'll get flavors of andouille sausage, Cajun seasonings, and chicken that'll make your taste buds swoon in delight. This easy one-pot meal can be made in less than half an hour, so get cookin'!

Get the recipe: 30-minute gumbo

We bet you've had cheesecake before, but have you had a bananas foster cheesecake? This drool-worthy dessert features a vanilla wafer crust, a creamy banana-and-rum-flavored filling, and a bananas foster mixture that's made with sliced bananas and pecans. Need we say more?

Get the recipe: bananas foster cheesecake

Make the Mardi Gras appetizer of your dreams when you whip up this creamy dip. Made with olives, roasted red peppers, giardiniera, salami, ham, and mortadella, this warm app will enlighten your taste buds to the fine flavors of the South.

Get the recipe: hot muffuletta dip

This six-ingredient recipe is quick and easy, meaning you can enjoy monkey bread any day of the year. Complete with the gooey and sweet flavors that you love, this recipe will make your mouth water. Eat it for breakfast with coffee, lunch with tea, or after dinner as dessert. You can never have too much monkey bread!

Get the recipe: monkey bread

If you have a sweet tooth, this pudding was made for you. It tastes like the traditional banana pudding, but way better because instead of just adding plain banana slices to the banana pudding, the fruit is coated in a brown-sugar-and-cinnamon-mixture and flambéd with rum. Yup, it's that good.

Get the recipe: bananas foster banana pudding

This delicious braided sweet bread is a Mardi Gras tradition for good reason! With sweet flavors, fun colors, and a baby in the middle, what's better?! This recipe includes three different shape options in case you want to try something new this year. Feel free to get creative!

Get the recipe: braided king cake

Did someone say lunchtime? In that case, it's time for a sandwich! This roast beef masterpiece is bursting with rich garlicky flavor that will fill you up for hours to come.

Get the recipe: roast beef debris

With a side of spicy dipping sauce, you already know this Cajun fried shrimp is about to go fast. Crunchy, crispy, and packed with seafood flavor, you'll want to load your plate up with these before they're gone.

Get the recipe: Cajun fried shrimp

Pasta will never be the same after you've had this crawfish fettuccine. It's cheesy, creamy, and perfectly spicy, and filled with all the crawfish tails you could ever dream of. Pair this with a stiff hurricane, and your dinner is complete.

Get the recipe: crawfish fettuccine

If you want an easy-to-make dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, this is the recipe for you. These beer battered sandwiches are too good to be true, considering how easy they are to make. Topped off with a remoulade sauce, you'll want to whip these up every night of the week.

Get the recipe: beer battered fish po'boys

Rich, moist, and absolutely dreamy, this pound cake is the Mardi Gras dessert you've been missing. Complete with a cinnamon-flavored swirl and a sugary glaze, you'll be going back for seconds before you're even done with your first piece.

Get the recipe: Mardi Gras pound cake

Who's ready for breakfast? This french toast recipe will make waking up a whole lot better, you can trust us on that. Complete with sweet banana slices and a brown sugar and rum syrup, you'll wish it was breakfast time every hour of the day.

Get the recipe: bananas foster french toast

Take dinner to the next level when you chef up these mouthwatering crawfish burgers. Served in a bun with lettuce, tomato, and creamy dill sauce, these seafood sliders will steal the show. Pair them with crunchy potato chips or homemade fries for best results.

Get the recipe: crawfish burgers

You can't celebrate Mardi Gras without eating a king cake, right? This cinnamon-pecan recipe is all you need to get the party started. It's easy to make at home, so you can bring the flavors of Louisiana right to your kitchen.

Get the recipe: cinnamon-pecan king cake

If you've been to New Orleans, then you know about this popular snack. These drool-worthy Southern rice fritters are a treat for your taste buds, especially when you have a sweet tooth. These are similar to beignets, but easier and faster to make. Who wants one?

Get the recipe: sweet calas

You've never had a good appetizer until you've had this crawfish dip. It's effortlessly spicy and cheesy, and can be made in under 15 minutes. When you dive into this, you'll get bites of andouille sausage, Velveeta cheese, and Colby Jack cheese that'll melt in your mouth. Enjoy!

Get the recipe: crawfish queso

A healthier spin on the Southern classic, this dirty rice recipe still has the Cajun flavors that you love, just without any of the bad-for-you ingredients. And the best part is, the Instant Pot does all the hard work, so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and eat up!

Get the recipe: Instant Pot vegan dirty rice

Enjoy king cake like you've never enjoyed it before when you whip up this french toast recipe. Cream cheese, toasted pecans, and bourbon are the star of the show, along with a creamy glaze that coats it all. Just add sprinkles.

Get the recipe: Mardi Gras king cake french toast

A fun twist on the classic New Orleans' sandwich, this muffaletta panini is what lunch is all about. Made with ciabatta rolls and stuffed with meat, cheese, and a whole lot of olive spread, these warm sandwiches are as good as it gets.

Get the recipe: muffaletta panini