Name: One-Pot Smoked Sausage And Rice
Ingredients: Smoked Sausage (1 pound): The star of the show! Choose your favorite type – kielbasa, andouille, or even chorizo for a spicier kick. Look for pre-cooked sausage to simplify the cooking process. It adds a depth of smoky flavor that permeates the entire dish.; Long-Grain Rice (1.5 cups): Long-grain rice like Basmati or Jasmine works best as it cooks up fluffy and separate. Avoid short-grain rice varieties like Arborio, which are too starchy for this recipe. Rice is the hearty base that soaks up all the delicious flavors.; Onion (1 medium): Diced onion forms the aromatic foundation of the dish. Yellow or white onions work well, adding a subtle sweetness and savory depth.; Bell Pepper (1, any color): Diced bell pepper adds color, sweetness, and a slight crunch. Choose your favorite color or a mix for visual appeal and varied nutrients.; Garlic (2-3 cloves): Minced garlic is essential for adding pungent, aromatic flavor. Fresh garlic is always best, but pre-minced garlic can be used for convenience.; Chicken Broth (3 cups): Chicken broth is the cooking liquid that infuses the rice and sausage with flavor. Low-sodium broth is recommended to control the salt level. Vegetable broth can be substituted for a vegetarian option (though the sausage itself won’t be).; Diced Tomatoes (1 can, 14.5 oz): Diced tomatoes (undrained) add acidity, moisture, and a touch of sweetness. Fire-roasted tomatoes can add an extra layer of smoky flavor.; Spices (as listed below): A blend of spices elevates the dish from simple to sensational. Paprika (1 tablespoon): Adds a mild, slightly sweet and smoky flavor, and enhances the color of the dish. Smoked paprika will intensify the smoky notes.; Dried Thyme (1 teaspoon): Provides an earthy, slightly minty flavor that complements sausage and rice beautifully.; Dried Oregano (1 teaspoon): Adds a robust, slightly peppery flavor that is classic in savory dishes.; Cayenne Pepper (1/4 teaspoon, or to taste): Optional, but adds a touch of heat to balance the richness of the sausage. Adjust to your spice preference.; Salt and Black Pepper: To taste. Seasoning is crucial to bring out all the flavors.; Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): Used for sautéing the vegetables and sausage. Olive oil adds a healthy fat and enhances flavor. Other cooking oils like canola or vegetable oil can be used as substitutes.; Fresh Parsley (optional, for garnish): Chopped fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous finish and visual appeal as a garnish.

Ingredients

This recipe is all about simplicity and bold flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious one-pot meal:

Smoked Sausage (1 pound): The star of the show! Choose your favorite type – kielbasa, andouille, or even chorizo for a spicier kick. Look for pre-cooked sausage to simplify the cooking process. It adds a depth of smoky flavor that permeates the entire dish.
Long-Grain Rice (1.5 cups): Long-grain rice like Basmati or Jasmine works best as it cooks up fluffy and separate. Avoid short-grain rice varieties like Arborio, which are too starchy for this recipe. Rice is the hearty base that soaks up all the delicious flavors.
Onion (1 medium): Diced onion forms the aromatic foundation of the dish. Yellow or white onions work well, adding a subtle sweetness and savory depth.
Bell Pepper (1, any color): Diced bell pepper adds color, sweetness, and a slight crunch. Choose your favorite color or a mix for visual appeal and varied nutrients.
Garlic (2-3 cloves): Minced garlic is essential for adding pungent, aromatic flavor. Fresh garlic is always best, but pre-minced garlic can be used for convenience.
Chicken Broth (3 cups): Chicken broth is the cooking liquid that infuses the rice and sausage with flavor. Low-sodium broth is recommended to control the salt level. Vegetable broth can be substituted for a vegetarian option (though the sausage itself won’t be).
Diced Tomatoes (1 can, 14.5 oz): Diced tomatoes (undrained) add acidity, moisture, and a touch of sweetness. Fire-roasted tomatoes can add an extra layer of smoky flavor.
Spices (as listed below): A blend of spices elevates the dish from simple to sensational.
- Paprika (1 tablespoon): Adds a mild, slightly sweet and smoky flavor, and enhances the color of the dish. Smoked paprika will intensify the smoky notes.
- Dried Thyme (1 teaspoon): Provides an earthy, slightly minty flavor that complements sausage and rice beautifully.
- Dried Oregano (1 teaspoon): Adds a robust, slightly peppery flavor that is classic in savory dishes.
- Cayenne Pepper (1/4 teaspoon, or to taste): Optional, but adds a touch of heat to balance the richness of the sausage. Adjust to your spice preference.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste. Seasoning is crucial to bring out all the flavors.
Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): Used for sautéing the vegetables and sausage. Olive oil adds a healthy fat and enhances flavor. Other cooking oils like canola or vegetable oil can be used as substitutes.
Fresh Parsley (optional, for garnish): Chopped fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous finish and visual appeal as a garnish.

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Instructions

This recipe is incredibly straightforward, making it perfect for even beginner cooks. Follow these simple steps to create a flavorful and satisfying meal:

Prepare the Ingredients: Start by prepping your vegetables. Dice the onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic. Slice the smoked sausage into rounds or half-moons, about ½ inch thick. Having everything ready before you start cooking makes the process smooth and efficient.
Sauté the Sausage and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until lightly browned and slightly crispy. This step renders some of the fat from the sausage and develops deeper flavor. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. As the vegetables soften, they release their natural sweetness and aromas, building the flavor base of the dish.
Add Garlic and Spices: Add the minced garlic, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the pot. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Cooking the spices in the oil releases their essential oils and intensifies their flavor. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Combine Ingredients: Add the diced tomatoes (undrained), long-grain rice, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients, ensuring the rice is evenly distributed and submerged in the liquid.
Bring to a Boil and Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed. Do not lift the lid during the simmering process, as this will release steam and prolong the cooking time.
Return Sausage and Rest: After 18-20 minutes, check if the rice is cooked by gently fluffing it with a fork. If the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cooked sausage. Cover the pot again and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together and the rice to finish steaming, resulting in perfectly tender and flavorful rice.
Fluff and Serve: Finally, fluff the One-Pot Smoked Sausage and Rice with a fork. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious and easy one-pot meal!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 550
Fat: 30
Carbohydrates: 55
Protein: 30