Sausage and Rice Casserole

 

Photo: RDNE Stock Project

Here is another delicious recipe that you're going to love. It's a sausage and rice casserole that's hearty, comforting, and easy to make. You can use any kind of sausage you like, but I prefer the bulk kind that comes in a tube. It has more flavor and texture than the pre-cooked ones. Plus, you can brown it with some veggies to add even more flavor.

This casserole is great for feeding a crowd, or for making ahead and freezing for later. It has rice, sausage, green pepper, onion, celery, chicken broth, butter, and almonds (if you want some crunch). It's a complete meal in one dish that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 pounds bulk sausage

1 cup green pepper, finely chopped

3/4 cup chopped onion

2 and 1/2 cup chopped celery

2 Knorrs chicken boullion cubes

2 cups water

1 cup uncooked brown rice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup melted butter or margarine

1 cup slivered almonds (optional)

To make this casserole, you'll need to cook the rice first. I like to use brown rice because it's healthier and more filling than white rice. You can cook it in a pot with some chicken bouillon cubes and water, or use a rice cooker if you have one. Just make sure the rice is tender and fluffy before adding it to the casserole.

Next, you'll need to brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks, and drain off any excess grease. Then, add the green pepper, onion, and one cup of celery to the same skillet and saute until soft. This will give the casserole some nice color and freshness.

Now, you're ready to assemble the casserole. In a large bowl, combine the rice and the sausage mixture. Add some salt and stir well to combine. Then, transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining celery over the top and drizzle with melted butter. If you like almonds, you can also sprinkle some slivered almonds over the top for some extra crunch.

Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

This sausage and rice casserole is one of my favorite dishes to make for my family and friends. It's warm, satisfying, and full of flavor. You can serve it with a green salad or some bread for a complete meal. It also reheats well in the microwave or oven, so you can enjoy the leftovers for lunch or dinner.

I hope you give this recipe a try and let me know what you think in the comments below. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to ask me. I love hearing from you!

Thanks for reading and happy cooking!