Description
A hearty and flavorful Italian-American main dish featuring savory Italian sausage cooked with aromatic vegetables and tender white rice, all simmered together in chicken broth and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- chopped parsley for garnish
Pantry Staples
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease if needed.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Rice and Seasonings: Stir in the long-grain white rice to coat it with the sausage and vegetable mixture. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Simmer the Rice: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and allow it to simmer gently for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been fully absorbed.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in the Parmesan cheese if using. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve the dish warm.
Notes
- For extra veggies, add spinach or diced tomatoes for added flavor and nutrition.
- You can use spicy or sweet Italian sausage depending on your preference for heat.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure that the sausage and chicken broth are gluten-free certified.
- If substituting brown rice, increase liquid and cooking time accordingly as brown rice takes longer to cook.
