Rinse the dried red beans under cold water. Soak them in a bowl of water for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Dice the onion, green bell pepper, and celery on a cutting board and mince the garlic.

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the sliced smoked sausage to the pot and cook until slightly browned, about 5 minutes.

Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pot along with 4 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender.

Season the beans with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the beans over cooked rice and garnish with chopped green onions if desired.