Easy Sausage and Rice Casserole (one-pot recipe!)

This easy sausage and rice casserole recipe is one of my favorite weeknight meals to make. There are plenty of servings in this sausage and rice recipe, so whether you're cooking for two and want leftovers as an easy meal-prepping idea or you're looking for a healthy dinner idea for the family, this is it.

You'll love this sausage and rice casserole

It's so easy to make. This meal can be on the dinner table in no time, and your whole family will love it! Plus it's a one-pot dinner recipe, so minimal dishes... who doesn't love that?

It's perfect for meal prepping. Even if you're not making dinner for a family, this is a great meal-prepping recipe. The leftovers are delicious and make for such easy lunches or dinners to get you through the week.

It's so customizable. I recommend using pre-cooked chicken sausage, so you can use so many different variations of chicken sausage and have fun with different in-season veggies and flavors to put your own twist on this sausage casserole.

Ingredients

Onion. Like any delicious casserole, savory that is, I start with an onion. You can use sweet, yellow, or red onions!

Garlic. I prefer to use fresh garlic for this recipe, but if you have to use granulated garlic, that is absolutely fine. 

Olive Oil. To keep things a bit lighter and healthier for an easy weeknight dinner, I prefer to use olive oil instead of butter. 

Corn. Canned corn is such an easy vegetable to add to this easy dinner. You can use fresh corn if you want, I prefer to use canned or frozen. 

Tomato Paste. Tomato paste isn't necessary, but I like the savory yet sweet flavor it adds to this dish. 

Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes. I love the canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes in this recipe. I can typically find them at my local grocery stores. However, if you can't find them, you can always use regular diced tomatoes. 

Pre-Cooked Sausage. I use pre-cooked chicken sausage for this recipe. Smoked sausage also makes for a great sausage to use in this easy recipe. You can also use leftover sausages that you have cooked earlier, like brats, or Italian sausage. If you are using raw sausages, be sure to cook them before starting with the instructions below. 

Chicken Broth. You'll need to use enough chicken broth to make sure your rice properly cooks since you use uncooked rice. I always recommend keeping a jar of Better Than Bullion, or something similar, in your fridge so that all you have to do is mix some of the broth concentrate with hot water and you have chicken broth. You can make all your favorite comfort food recipes so easily by keeping that product in your fridge. 

Seasoning Blend. I use a seasoning blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper in this recipe. 

White Rice. I make this with white or brown rice, but you can use whatever rice you prefer or have on hand.

You might also like: Easy Stir Fry Sauce without Cornstarch, Spicy Chicken Curry with Greek Yogurt, or Cheeseburger Bowls.

How to make this sausage and rice casserole

I make this recipe in a large cast iron Dutch oven, however, if you don't have one of those you can use a large skillet with a lid.

1. If you are cooking with raw sausage, cook your sausage through, slice and set aside.
2. Heat up your 2 tablespoon of oil in your cast iron Dutch oven. Dice your onion and mince your garlic. Pour your onion and garlic into the pan and over medium heat, cook until your onions are translucent—about 5 minutes.
3. Add in your corn and stir.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and stir until well mixed and caramelized. The tomato paste will turn a darker red that's how you know! 
5. Add in your 1 can of diced tomatoes and your chicken sausages (sliced.) 
6. Add in your seasonings. Start with 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 tablespoon chili powder, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Wait to add the salt since broth brings such a salty component, I always salt my soups, chilis, etc. at the end.
7. Add in 3 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of rice. 
8. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, uncovered.
9. Once it is boiling, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20-30 minutes until all the chicken broth has been absorbed. 
10. I like to top mine with Greek Yogurt and shredded cheddar cheese.

Toppings

Here are some topping ideas for this sausage and rice casserole.

• Green Onions
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Greek Yogurt
• Chopped Onion
• Pinch of red pepper flakes

Substitutions and variations

Rice. You can substitute the white rice for brown rice, wild rice, long grain rice, jasmine rice, or whatever rice you prefer.

Vegetables.​ You can add any of your favorite veggies like red bell pepper, green bell pepper, celery, or anything else you'd like to include. 

Vegan/Vegetarian.​ If you are vegetarian or vegan, you can sub out for your favorite meat-free sausage and use vegetable stock. 

Storing and reheating

If you have leftover sausage and rice casserole, store in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-5 days. 

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