Description
Hearty sausage and rice casserole brings comfort from Italian-American kitchens to dinner tables nationwide. Melted cheese, savory sausage, and tender rice create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound sausage (sliced or crumbled, Italian, smoked, or andouille)
Grains:
- 2 cups white or brown rice (uncooked)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
Liquids:
- 2 cups chicken broth
Oils and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
- Sear sausage pieces until golden brown and caramelized; transfer to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, sauté diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers until they become translucent and aromatic.
- Introduce uncooked rice to the vegetable mixture, then pour in chicken broth and sprinkle paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Reintegrate the browned sausage into the skillet and elevate heat to create a rolling boil.
- Reduce temperature to low, cover the skillet, and allow the mixture to gently simmer for approximately 18 minutes, ensuring rice becomes tender and absorbs all liquid.
- Once cooking is complete, use a fork to delicately separate and fluff the rice grains.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while still hot.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, choose hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes during cooking.
- Swap rice varieties like brown or cauliflower rice for different nutritional profiles and textures.
- When using lower-sodium broth, taste and adjust seasoning before final simmer to enhance flavor depth.
- Prep vegetables in advance to streamline cooking and ensure even, quick sautéing for consistent results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg