Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole Recipe for Weeknight Dinners

Say hello to your new favorite one-pot meal: a savory combination of sausage, rice, and broccoli baked together into an easy, satisfying casserole.

This simple casserole is destined to be a family favorite. It’s kid-friendly, chef-friendly, and full of comforting flavor: browned sausage, tender rice, and crisp-tender broccoli come together in one pan.

Ingredients.

Italian sausage – Use regular or spicy Italian sausage to taste. Chicken sausage works well if you prefer a lighter option; both pork and chicken sausages produce excellent results.

Onion and garlic – Finely chopped onion and minced garlic add classic flavor. Leeks or shallots can be swapped in, and garlic paste from a tube works in a pinch.

Rice – Arborio rice yields a slightly creamier texture, but regular white rice is fine. If you use brown rice, plan to cook it longer before adding the broccoli.

White wine and chicken broth – Use a dry white wine you would drink; avoid cheap “cooking wine” for best flavor. Good-quality chicken broth or stock (homemade if available) gives the best results.

Broccoli – Broccoli florets are traditional, but broccoli rabe or green beans can be used instead. Cauliflower also makes a good substitute.

This baked sausage and rice with broccoli is an easy, delicious one-pan meal. Once you learn the method, you can vary the sausage and vegetables for many tasty variations.

The recipe is adapted from an older Martha Stewart cookbook and I often tweak it slightly each time I make it.

More one-pot meals.

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One-Pot Salmon and Rice Pilaf

An easy one-pan dinner that’s sure to become a family favorite.

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Recipe.

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Sausage, rice and broccoli in a cast iron skillet.

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Sausage and Rice Casserole

A simple sausage and rice bake that becomes a complete one-pot meal when topped with broccoli.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 531kcal

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
8 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups arborio rice (or regular white rice)
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups broccoli rabe or broccoli florets, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat a large ovenproof skillet (cast iron works well) over medium-high. Add the sausage, break it up, and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook another 3 minutes until softened.
Stir in the rice to coat it in the pan juices. Pour in the wine, bring to a boil, and cook until the rice has absorbed most of the wine. Add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
Remove the skillet from the burner and transfer it to the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, then scatter the broccoli on top and bake an additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven, stir, and let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Sausage: regular Italian or chicken sausage both work well.

Rice: Arborio or regular white rice are recommended. If you use brown rice, adjust cooking time and temperature accordingly.

Equipment

Cast Iron Skillet

One Pot (ovenproof skillet or similar)

Nutrition

This dish is incredibly easy, warm, and comforting—perfect for autumn or any night you want a simple, satisfying one-pan meal. And yes, everything does look better when served in a well-loved cast iron skillet.