Description
Hearty and flavorful One-Pot Smoked Sausage Rice featuring smoky sausage, tender rice, and vibrant vegetables. Ready in about 30 minutes, this easy, customizable dish is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a comforting blend of spice and savoriness with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Protein
- 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 bell peppers, diced
Grains and Liquids
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or 1 cup diced tomatoes
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the smoked sausage into bite-sized pieces, finely chop the onion and garlic, and dice the bell peppers into uniform chunks for even cooking.
- Sauté Sausage and Vegetables: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat, add a splash of oil, and cook the smoked sausage until browned and slightly crispy. Remove the sausage, then sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until fragrant and softened.
- Toast the Rice: Add the uncooked rice to the pot with the vegetables, stirring for a couple of minutes. Toasting the rice enhances its nutty flavor and helps maintain fluffiness after cooking.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook Everything Together: Return the browned sausage to the pot, cover tightly, reduce heat to low, and cook for 18-20 minutes until rice absorbs all liquid and becomes tender.
- Finish and Fluff: Turn off the heat and let the pot rest, covered, for a few minutes. Gently fluff the rice with a fork and stir in fresh parsley if desired for added color and freshness.
Notes
- Choose Quality Sausage: Using a flavorful smoked sausage will make a noticeable difference in the final dish.
- Do Not Skip Toasting: Toast the rice before adding liquids to elevate the nutty undertones and avoid mushiness.
- Use a Tight-Fitting Lid: Traps steam to cook rice evenly and absorb all flavors.
- Adjust Liquid Amounts: Liquids vary by rice brand; add a splash of broth during cooking if too dry.
- Let it Rest: Resting the dish off heat firms up rice and deepens flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: one-pot rice recipe, smoked sausage rice, easy dinner, weeknight meal, smoky sausage dish, quick rice skillet