Zesty Italian Sausage Rice Casserole
As always, we bring you delicious and budget-friendly meals that are perfect for busy weeknights! Today, we're sharing our zesty Italian rice casserole that will certainly become a family favourite. It's an easy-to-make casserole packed with flavour that can be whipped up in no time.
It's a perfect way to use up leftover rice and transform it into a hearty meal. We've added some zesty Italian flavours to this dish to give it a little extra kick.
In this recipe, we've used simple and affordable ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store or even in your pantry. It's a great way to stay within your budget while still enjoying a delicious meal. Plus, it's a perfect way to make sure you're getting all of your food groups in one dish.
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- 4 medium Italian sausages, sliced into bite size chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for frying
- 1/2 medium chopped onion
- 3 cloves chopped garlic
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, julienned
- 2 cups chopped green beans
- 6 medium button mushrooms, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil (Use fresh if you have it.)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup long grain uncooked washed rice
- 1 medium can of hot spiced Italian diced tomatoes (You can use regular diced as well.)
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish
- 2 cups grated mozzarella
Add the oil to a pan over medium high heat. Place the sausage in and fry until browned and cooked through.
Add in the onion, garlic, bell peppers, beans, and mushrooms. Toss and cook for a few minutes.
Add the basil, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, and pepper in. Stir once again until the vegetables are coated.
Add in the rice and tomatoes. Toss again until mixed.
Pour the vegetable stock in and bring to a boil. Place a lid on and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes until the rice is cooked.
Remove the lid and transfer the contents to a casserole dish. Spread the cheese over the top.
If you are using a cast iron pan or ovenproof pan, you can place the cheese on and put it directly into the oven now.Place into a 375 degree F or 190 C preheated oven for about 10 or 15 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Garnish with parsley, serve, and enjoy your zesty Italian sausage rice casserole.
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 720kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 38g59%
- Saturated Fat 16g80%
- Cholesterol 95mg32%
- Sodium 1360mg57%
- Potassium 710mg21%
- Total Carbohydrate 39g13%
- Dietary Fiber 5.1g21%
- Sugars 5.2g
- Protein 31g62%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutritional values are a within reason estimate and my vary depending on several factors.
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Use spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick of heat, or mild sausage if you prefer a milder flavor.
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You can also use ground beef or ground turkey instead of sausage if you prefer.
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To make this dish even more budget-friendly, you can use cheaper canned tomatoes.
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You can also add some chopped vegetables such as green bell peppers, peas, etc. for some extra flavour and nutrition.
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If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can prepare it up to the point of baking and then refrigerate it overnight. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if you're cooking it straight from the fridge.
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Serve this dish with a side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal.
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Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the oven or microwave when you're ready to enjoy.
