Harvest Sausage and Rice Casserole
Warm up your autumn evenings with this delightful Harvest Sausage and Rice Casserole, a one-pot wonder created for your crock pot. This easy recipe is adapted from A Year of Slow Cooking, with adjustments made for optimal results. It showcases the earthy flavors of sweet potatoes or carrots complemented by your choice of savory sausage, tender apples, and the wholesome goodness of leftover rice. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish allows for endless customization with your favorite sausages. Whether you choose smoky andouille, tart apple chicken, or classic kielbasa, you'll find comfort in every bite. Perfect for families seeking both flavor and convenience, this casserole is a hearty meal that brings the essence of autumn to your table. Plus, it can easily be made gluten-free with careful sausage selection!
4
Servings
300
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
sweet potatoes or carrots
1 1/2 cups (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
cooked rice
3 cups (leftover)
sausage
1 lb (sliced into bite-size pieces, partially cooked or smoked)
apples
2 (chopped (no need to peel))
yellow onion
1 cup (chopped)
raisins
1/2 cup (none)
dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon (none)
cumin
1/2 teaspoon (optional)
brown sugar
1 tablespoon (optional)
allspice
1/2 teaspoon (none)
cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
chicken broth
1/3 cup (none)
black beans
15 ounces (drained)
Instructions
1
If using uncooked sausage, begin by browning it on the stovetop until it's cooked through. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2
Prepare your 4-quart crock pot by lining it with a slow cooker liner; this will make cleanup easier.
3
In the lined crock pot, combine the sweet potatoes (or carrots), cooked rice, cooked sausage, chopped apples, onion, raisins, dried parsley flakes, cumin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, black pepper, chicken broth, and black beans.
4
Stir all the ingredients well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
5
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or until the sweet potatoes or carrots are tender. Make sure to stir the mixture once during the cooking time to avoid any overly cooked sections.
6
For best results, serve warm and enjoy the cozy flavors of fall!
Nutrition Information
8.75g
Fat
42.5g
Carbs
15g
Protein
5g
Fiber
6.25g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harvest Sausage and Rice Casserole?
It is a one-pot slow cooker meal featuring savory sausage, tender apples, sweet potatoes or carrots, and rice, inspired by autumn flavors.
What cooking method is used for this recipe?
This recipe is designed to be prepared in a 4-quart crock pot or slow cooker.
How long does it take to cook in the slow cooker?
Cook the casserole on the low setting for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
Can I use carrots instead of sweet potatoes?
Yes, you can use 1 1/2 cups of carrots cut into 1/2 inch pieces as a substitute for sweet potatoes.
What type of sausage is recommended?
You can use smoky andouille, tart apple chicken, or classic kielbasa.
Do I need to cook the rice before adding it to the crock pot?
Yes, the recipe calls for 3 cups of already cooked rice, which makes it a great use for leftovers.
Do I need to peel the apples?
No, there is no need to peel the apples before chopping them for this recipe.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be made gluten-free as long as you carefully select a sausage brand that is certified gluten-free.
What size slow cooker should I use?
A 4-quart crock pot is recommended for these ingredient proportions.
Do I need to brown the sausage first?
If you are using uncooked sausage, you must brown it on the stovetop and drain the fat before adding it to the slow cooker.
How many apples are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 2 chopped apples.
Are black beans included in this casserole?
Yes, the recipe includes one 15-ounce can of drained black beans.
What spices are used to season the dish?
The dish is seasoned with dried parsley flakes, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, and black pepper.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 15 grams of protein per serving.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, it includes 1 tablespoon of optional brown sugar and contains 6.25g of sugar per serving.
Should I stir the casserole while it is cooking?
You should stir the mixture once during the 3.5 to 4 hour cooking time to ensure even distribution.
What type of onion should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped yellow onion.
How much chicken broth is needed?
You only need 1/3 cup of chicken broth for this recipe.
How much fiber is in each serving?
Each serving provides 5 grams of fiber.
Can I use a slow cooker liner?
Yes, lining your crock pot with a slow cooker liner is recommended for easier cleanup.
What size should the sweet potatoes or carrots be cut?
They should be cut into 1/2 inch pieces to ensure they become tender during the cooking time.
Are raisins included in the ingredients?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 cup of raisins.
Is cumin a mandatory ingredient?
No, the 1/2 teaspoon of cumin is listed as an optional ingredient.
What is the fat content per serving?
The fat content is approximately 8.75g per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 42.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I use leftover rice for this?
Yes, the recipe is specifically designed to use 3 cups of leftover cooked rice.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 14 ingredients in total for this recipe.
How should I serve this dish?
For the best results, serve the casserole warm immediately after the sweet potatoes or carrots have become tender.