Rice and Italian Sausage
A comforting and flavorful dish that combines Italian sausage with fluffy rice and fresh vegetables, perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian Sausage Sweet or spicy, based on preference.
- 1 cup Rice Long-grain white rice recommended, brown rice can be used for a healthier option.
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1-2 medium Bell Peppers, chopped Any color works great.
- 1 cup Tomato Sauce or Diced Tomatoes Diced tomatoes add texture.
- 2 cups Chicken Broth or Stock Low-sodium recommended.
- 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil Extra virgin recommended for depth.
Herbs and Spices
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ΒΌ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes Adjust based on heat tolerance.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper To taste.
Instructions
Preparation
- Chop the onion, garlic, and bell peppers into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage (sliced or crumbled) and cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned.
- Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Return the sausage to the skillet, stir in the rice, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat, let rest covered for a few minutes, then fluff the rice with a fork and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Allow the rice time to absorb flavors and avoid lifting the lid too often during cooking. This dish can be easily doubled for meal prep, and leftovers store well in the fridge or can be frozen for future meals.