re: Homemade jambalaya - where did I go wrong or what’s missing?

Like everyone else already said, you have to brown your meats first, then remove your meat and cook down your onion, bell pepper and garlic.

Browning your meat is the most important step because that's where all of your flavor is going to come from. Make sure you're using a smoked sausage.

It's going to look like you're burning the meats but it will all deglaze when you cook the vegetables and add the liquid.

Kitchen Bouquet, as already stated, will help to brown your jambalaya.