Description
Rice and Italian Sausage is a hearty, flavorful one-pot meal combining savory Italian sausage, tender rice, aromatic vegetables, and Italian herbs. This simple and versatile dish is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, offering a comforting balance of textures and taste that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- Italian sausage: 1 pound (sweet or spicy, sliced or crumbled)
- Rice: 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Bell peppers: 1-2 medium, chopped (any color)
- Tomato sauce or diced tomatoes: 1 cup
- Chicken broth or stock: 2 cups
- Olive oil: 1-2 tablespoons
- Herbs and spices: 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the onion, garlic, and bell peppers into bite-sized pieces. Slice or crumble the Italian sausage based on your desired texture.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and slightly crispy. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the sausage to the skillet, then stir in the rice, diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, chicken broth, basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Final Touches: Remove from heat and let the dish rest, covered, for a few minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
Notes
- Use quality Italian sausage for best flavor.
- Allow sausage to brown thoroughly for a deeper taste.
- Add broth gradually if rice isn’t fully cooked after 20 minutes.
- Letting the dish rest helps the flavors meld and the rice settle.
- Adjust heat by modifying chili flakes or switching between sweet and spicy sausage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg