This Italian Sausage and Rice recipe is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines savory Italian sausage with the richness of sautéed vegetables, aromatic spices, and tender rice. It's a perfect blend of textures and flavors, making it an ideal meal for any time of the year.
Italian Sausage and Rice
This recipe was so easy and fast to make, but you really couldn't tell by how incredible the result was. It was delicious! The combination of Italian sausage and a variety of vegetables creates a comforting and rich flavor profile. The use of Hungarian paprika adds a unique depth to the dish, while the roasted garlic diced tomatoes bring a hint of sweetness and acidity.
This recipe is straightforward and you can change it up to suit your family's tastes and needs. It can be easily adapted to include different types of sausages or vegetables, making it a versatile dish for various tastes and dietary preferences.
It uses everyday ingredients that are easily accessible, making it a convenient option for a weeknight dinner. The entire meal is cooked in one skillet, enhancing the flavors and making cleanup a breeze.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: The simplicity of the recipe ensures that even novice cooks can prepare it with ease.
- Eat More Vegetables: A great way to incorporate vegetables into your meal.
- Make-Ahead Lunches: This recipe is perfect for meal prep as it reheats well.
- Bold Flavors: The combination of Italian sausage and Hungarian paprika offers a burst of bold and savory flavors, which is the highlight of this dish.
Try my Italian Sausage and Potato Soup
Recipe Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Italian Sausage Links – Use hot or mild depending on your spice preference. Brown them first for the best texture and flavor.
- Butter – Adds richness and helps sauté the vegetables.
- Red & Yellow Bell Peppers – Sweet and colorful, they balance out the heat.
- Onion – Aromatic base that builds the flavor early.
- Celery – Adds texture and rounds out the vegetable mix.
- Roasted Garlic Diced Tomatoes – Brings acid, depth, and a subtle roasted garlic note.
- Hungarian Paprika – Smoky, sweet, and key to the dish’s flavor profile.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – Boosts the savory elements in every bite.
- Kosher Salt – Enhances everything else in the dish.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Optional heat; adjust or skip to control spice.
- Rice – Long grain or jasmine rice works best. Avoid quick-cook varieties.
- Chicken Broth – Infuses the rice with extra flavor as it cooks.
- Chopped Parsley – Bright, fresh garnish to finish the dish.
How To Make This Recipe
This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Brown The Sausage – Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook sausage links for 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté The Veggies – Add butter to the pan. Once melted, add bell peppers, onion, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened and slightly browned.
- Add Seasoning And Rice – Stir in tomatoes, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, red pepper flakes, rice, and chicken broth. Mix well.
- Slice And Return The Sausage – Cut sausage into rounds and add back to the skillet.
- Simmer Until Done – Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is cooked. Add a bit more broth if needed. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, it can be prepared in advance and reheated, making it ideal for meal prep.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop, adding a little broth or water if needed.
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute with your preferred sausage variety.
Yes, you can replace the sausage with a plant-based alternative and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Serve This With
More Recipes To Try
- Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage
- Traeger Feta Pasta
- Chopped Italian Sandwich
- Blackstone Italian Dunkers
- Cheesy Italian Shells
- Pepperoni Rotini Bake
- Greek Chicken Bowl
Italian Sausage and Rice
This hearty one-pot meal is perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner! Just enough heat to make it interesting, this dish is going to be on your regular rotation!
Ingredients
- 4 Italian sausage links
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, minced
- 1 can roasted garlic diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Brown the Italian sausages in a large skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the butter to the pan and let it melt. Add in the peppers, onion, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until there is some color on the vegetables and they are softened.
- Add the tomatoes, paprika, garlic, and onion powder, salt, red pepper flakes, rice, and chicken broth to the pan. Stir to combine.
- Slice the Italian sausage links into rounds. Add to the pan.
- Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked. Stir occasionally, and add 1/4 cup additional chicken broth if necessary.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 280Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 870mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 12g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
Dennis Lebold
Thursday 13th of March 2025
I love this recipe, have made it 3 times already this year. I don’t always follow the directions, sometimes I cube up some zucchini, usually two small ones, and just one green pepper, this time I’m using brown rice instead of the white rice and smoked sausage instead of the Italian, it always tastes great.
Nicole Johnson
Thursday 13th of March 2025
That's awesome!
Esther
Friday 11th of October 2024
Just wondering about the size of can for the tomatoes. I used 14 oz then decided it wasn’t enough and added the rest. Whichever way, it’s good, easy and fast. Thanks for the recipe.
Nicole Johnson
Saturday 12th of October 2024
It was a standard 15.5 ounce can of the Hunt's Roasted Garlic Diced Tomatoes in this one. It could easily get away with a bigger can too, if you reduce a little of the other liquid. This recipe is pretty flexible.
Jaye
Thursday 15th of August 2024
What kind of rice? How much rice? How long for the rice? I feel like this is missing half of the recipe I’m so confused.
Nicole Johnson
Thursday 15th of August 2024
It isn't, and has been made successfully by a wack of people. ;) Just follow the directions. Use long-grain white rice. It'll be delicious!