New Orleans has been on my list of places to visit for many years. The vibrant people, live music and eclectic culture really draw me to the city.

Plus, my husband is a huge fan of the Saints.

But what I especially love about the Big Easy is the food. There’s so much diversity!

It’s a blend of Cajun and Creole cooking, which have such unique flavors, mixed with some Southern comfort food (mmm, crispy fried chicken). 

This is also THE PLACE to visit for Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras is right around the corner and this year, we’re celebrating with some close friends.

But we’re bringing the party to us!

Although it’ll be a weekday, we can still have a festive feast on Fat Tuesday like “responsible” adults. Right? 😉

Food Ideas for Your Mardi Gras Party:

To stick with tradition, here are some Mardi Gras inspired dishes that you can make for your feast at home.

Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage

My husband first introduced me to gumbo shortly after we started dating. 

Because it’s one of his favorite foods, I tried to make it…even though I had no idea what it was supposed to taste like.

Luckily, the dish turned out delicious (thanks to Emeril) and I’ve been using his recipe ever since.

This is a must-have dish for any Mardi Gras celebration.

One bite will immediately transport you to the French Quarter!

Shrimp Étouffée

Whenever we go to a Cajun restaurant, I always have to order the crawfish étouffée if it’s on the menu.

Crawfish isn’t something that we can just buy at the local supermarket so we never make it at home.

It becomes a special treat.

I chose a shrimp version of the etouffee because the main ingredient is more accessible.

This makes a great main dish but could also be easily turned into a delicious appetizer. Perhaps it’ll be delicious as an empanada?

Hmmm, I smell a future recipe idea.

Jambalaya with Chicken, Shrimp and Andouille Sausage

Any time I have an opportunity to use my Instant Pot, I immediately jump on it.

Jambalaya is a great one-pot dish that you can easily set it and forget it.

For this recipe, I usually use chicken thighs, but you can totally use chicken breasts if you want a leaner version.

Shrimp and Grits Southern Style

Shrimp and grits is a classic Southern dish.

I used to eat it without the cheese, but once I tried the creamy, cheesy grits, I couldn’t go back.

The cheddar just makes it extra.

Shrimp Po’ Boy

Yes, this list includes a lot of shrimp but the fanatic in me can’t help it. This is the last one though.

I love po’ boys (or poor boys) that use French bread, especially if it’s fresh and baked the same day.

One of the best parts of this recipe is the remoulade sauce. I’m stunned at how flavorful it is.

It really completes the sandwich and takes it to a whole other level.

If you’re making it for a party, consider cutting each loaf into thirds or even quarters (depending on the size of your bread).

Beignets

Fluffy, fried and covered in powdered sugar. What’s not to love?

Pair it with a cup of coffee — specifically, cafe au lait — and I’m in heaven.

If you’ve never tried a beignet, you’re missing out.

Make them today and see what all the fuss is about. They’re addictive.

King Bundt Cake

No Mardi Gras celebration is complete without a king cake to end the feast. 

Bakeries all around NOLA churn out these cakes by the truckloads during this time of the year. But I prefer to have the homemade version.

It’s delicious while being only a fraction of the price. Plus, you know exactly what’s in it.

This bundt cake version makes king cake seem much more presentable than if I attempted the traditional one.

It’s a recipe that can make any time of the year — just skip the colored sugars on top.

If you want to learn more about the traditional dessert, here’s a great video that talks all about it.

Whether you’re hosting a themed dinner party or just hanging out with some friends, you can wow them with these Fat Tuesday favorites.

What do you usually make for Mardi Gras?