Savory Sausage & Cheddar Rice Skillet
This hearty Sausage & Cheddar Rice Skillet is a delightful one-dish meal that brings together flavorful sausage and aromatic vegetables with the warmth of rice. Inspired by the classic comfort food concept while accommodating selective tastes, this recipe omits the usual peas and mushrooms, focusing instead on a triad of classic flavors: onions, bell peppers, and celery. The addition of creamy celery soup and melted extra-sharp cheddar cheese elevates this dish into a creamy, rich culinary experience that your family will love. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners and easily customizable using turkey sausage and low-sodium alternatives. Enjoy a warm, filling meal that combines ease and taste in one skillet.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 cup (finely chopped)
celery
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
green bell pepper
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
olive oil or canola oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
fresh sausage
1 lb (casings removed)
uncooked long grain rice
3/4 cup (raw)
water
1 cup (for cooking)
chicken stock or broth
1/2 cup (for flavor)
condensed cream of celery soup
10 3/4 ounces (for creaminess)
extra-sharp cheddar cheese
4 ounces (shredded)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat your choice of olive oil or canola oil over medium heat. Add the chopped celery and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften.
2
Next, add the finely chopped green bell pepper to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3
Add the finely chopped onion to the mixture and continue cooking until the onion becomes translucent and is soft, about 5 minutes.
4
While the vegetable mixture cooks, remove the casings from the fresh sausage. Once the vegetables are ready, add the ground sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
5
Stir in the uncooked long grain rice, ensuring that it’s well mixed with the sausage and vegetable combination.
6
Then, add the condensed cream of celery soup, chicken stock, and water. Stir everything together to combine nicely.
7
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
8
Once fully cooked, sprinkle three-quarters of the shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese into the skillet and mix until melted and evenly distributed. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and allow it to stand, covered, for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Sausage & Cheddar Rice Skillet?
It is a hearty one-dish meal that combines fresh sausage, aromatic vegetables, long grain rice, and extra-sharp cheddar cheese in a creamy celery-based sauce.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
What kind of sausage should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of fresh sausage with the casings removed. You can also use turkey sausage for a lighter alternative.
What vegetables are included in this skillet?
The dish uses a classic triad of finely chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper.
Does this recipe include peas or mushrooms?
No, this version specifically omits peas and mushrooms to accommodate selective tastes, focusing instead on onions, peppers, and celery.
What type of rice is required?
You should use 3/4 cup of uncooked long grain rice.
What creates the creamy texture in the dish?
The creaminess comes from the combination of condensed cream of celery soup and melted extra-sharp cheddar cheese.
How long does it take to cook the sausage?
The ground sausage should be cooked for about 5-7 minutes until it is no longer pink.
What liquids are used to cook the rice?
The rice is simmered in a mixture of 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of chicken stock or broth, and a 10.75-ounce can of condensed cream of celery soup.
Can I make this recipe low-sodium?
Yes, you can use low-sodium chicken broth and low-sodium condensed soup to reduce the salt content.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
Extra-sharp cheddar cheese is recommended for its bold flavor, but you can use other varieties of cheddar if preferred.
How much cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese.
How should I sauté the vegetables?
Heat olive or canola oil in a large skillet, start with the celery for 2-3 minutes, then add the bell pepper for 2-3 minutes, and finally the onion for 5 minutes until translucent.
Do I need to cook the rice before adding it to the skillet?
No, you add uncooked long grain rice directly to the skillet with the liquids and simmer.
How long should the rice simmer?
Cover the skillet and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
How do I incorporate the cheese?
Mix three-quarters of the shredded cheese into the cooked rice until melted, then sprinkle the remaining quarter on top.
Is there a standing time after cooking?
Yes, let the dish stand covered for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to melt and the flavors to meld.
What type of oil is best for this recipe?
You can use either olive oil or canola oil for sautéing the vegetables.
Do I need to remove the sausage casings?
Yes, ensure the casings are removed so the sausage can be broken apart and cooked like ground meat.
Can I use chicken broth instead of stock?
Yes, chicken broth is a perfectly acceptable substitute for chicken stock.
What is the preparation for the onion?
The onion should be finely chopped and cooked until it is soft and translucent.
What is the preparation for the bell pepper?
The green bell pepper should be finely chopped before being added to the skillet.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients: onion, celery, bell pepper, oil, sausage, rice, water, chicken stock, cream of celery soup, and cheddar cheese.
Is this a good weeknight meal?
Yes, it is marketed as a perfect weeknight dinner because it is a quick one-pan meal.
What heat setting should I use to simmer?
Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low for the simmering process.
Is this recipe spicy?
As written, the recipe is savory rather than spicy, though you could use a hot sausage variety to add heat.
Can I use different colored bell peppers?
Yes, while the recipe calls for green bell pepper, red, yellow, or orange peppers can be used for a sweeter flavor.
Should the skillet be covered during simmering?
Yes, the skillet must be covered to ensure the steam cooks the rice properly.
How do I know when the rice is finished?
The rice is done when it is tender and all the liquid in the skillet has been absorbed.
Is this dish considered comfort food?
Yes, the combination of creamy soup, melted cheese, and rice makes it a classic comfort food meal.