Description
Whipping up this Italian Sausage and Rice Skillet brings hearty comfort right to your dinner table. Savory sausage, perfectly seasoned rice, and a quick one-pan method make this meal a total weeknight winner for your hungry family.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage
- 6 oz fresh spinach
Grains and Legumes:
- 2 cups long grain brown rice
- 1 19 oz can white beans
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 medium red onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 5½ cups water
Instructions
- Sear the 1 lb spicy Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Crumble the meat with a wooden spoon until it browns completely, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Keep about 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the skillet. Toss in 1 cup diced red onion and 1 cup diced bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until your vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Pour 2 cups long grain brown rice, 1 can of white beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes into the skillet. Stir thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Add 5½ cups water and mix gently. Lower heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 38-42 minutes. Stir the mixture every 10 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Check rice tenderness after 38 minutes. When rice is almost fully cooked, gradually fold in 6 cups fresh spinach, allowing it to wilt naturally.
- Cover the skillet and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes at 200°F. Remove from heat when rice is perfectly tender and spinach has completely wilted.
Notes
- Let the sausage develop a nice golden-brown crust for deeper flavor before breaking it apart while cooking.
- Drain most grease but keep a thin layer to enhance the overall richness of the dish without making it greasy.
- Stir the rice mixture occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking, checking liquid levels to maintain moisture.
- For a gluten-free version, select a gluten-free Italian sausage and verify all ingredient labels before preparing the recipe.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 47-55 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg