Red Rice And Sausage
A hearty one-pot dish featuring flavorful sausage, smoky bacon, and savory rice infused with tomato and spices, perfect for comforting family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Fry bacon until crispy; remove from grease and let cool.
- Saute chopped onion and bell pepper in bacon grease until tender.
- In a casserole dish, combine rice, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, brown sugar, and the sauteed vegetables with the bacon grease.
- Crumble the cooked bacon and add to the rice mixture.
- Slice the sausage and place on top of the rice mixture.
- Cover the dish and cook in a preheated oven at 375°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven, fluff with a fork, then cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using chicken or vegetable broth instead of water. You can substitute the Hillshire beef sausage with turkey sausage or a plant-based option for a lighter dish. If you like heat, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Make sure to rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch, which helps to prevent it from becoming gummy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty Red Rice and Sausage dish with a side of cornbread or a simple green salad for a balanced meal. It pairs wonderfully with a glass of iced tea or lemonade. You can also use it as a filling base for a burrito or serve it alongside eggs for a breakfast twist inspired by dishes like Country Scrambled Eggs(Microwave).
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For reheating, place the rice and sausage mixture in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Red Rice And Sausage contains roughly 364 calories, with 15g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (254% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (59% of the Daily Value), and iron (39% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2182mg per serving (95% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but you will need to adjust the cooking time. Brown rice typically takes longer to cook, so plan on increasing the baking time by about 30 minutes, and ensure there’s enough liquid in the dish to accommodate the longer cooking time.
What can I do if I don't have tomato paste?
If you don't have tomato paste, you can use crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce as a substitute. Just be mindful of the added liquid; if using crushed tomatoes, reduce the water slightly to prevent the dish from becoming too watery.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the rice and sausage mixture a day in advance. Just assemble everything in the casserole dish, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to bake, simply add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).