Savory Southern Spiced Rice Casserole
This delicious Southern-inspired dish, known as Savannah Red Rice, combines the vibrant flavors of sweet Italian sausage with the aromatic essence of sautéed onions and bell peppers. The dish is generously flavored with crushed tomatoes and a hint of red hot sauce, adding just the right amount of heat. Perfect for any gathering, this rice casserole is hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor. Easy to prepare, it bakes to perfection and delivers a satisfying meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 cup (chopped)
bell pepper
1 cup (chopped)
butter
2 tablespoons (optional for sautéing)
sweet Italian sausage
1 cup (casings removed, crumbled)
crushed tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (with juice)
red hot sauce
1 tablespoon (to taste)
tomato sauce
1 cup
water
1 cup
chicken bouillon cubes
2 cubes (crumbled)
pepper
to taste (freshly cracked)
salt
to taste (optional)
white rice
1 cup (uncooked)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large saucepan, begin by browning the sweet Italian sausage over medium heat. There’s no need to add any oil or butter as the sausage will release its own fat.
3
Once the sausage is browned, add the chopped onions and bell peppers to the pan. Sauté until the onions become translucent and the peppers soften, about 5 minutes.
4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, red hot sauce, and water. Crumble in the chicken bouillon cubes and stir until well combined.
5
Season the mixture with freshly cracked pepper and salt, to taste. Remember, if your sausage is well-seasoned, you might want to skip the salt.
6
Mix in the uncooked white rice, ensuring that it is evenly distributed in the sauce.
7
Transfer the rice mixture to a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
8
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Southern Spiced Rice Casserole?
It is a Southern-inspired dish, commonly known as Savannah Red Rice, that combines sweet Italian sausage, aromatic vegetables, and rice in a tomato-based sauce.
What is another name for this recipe?
This dish is also known as Savannah Red Rice.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This rice casserole yields approximately 6 servings.
What type of sausage is used in this dish?
The recipe calls for sweet Italian sausage with the casings removed.
Do I need to add oil or butter to brown the sausage?
No, there is no need to add oil or butter as the sausage will release its own fat during the browning process.
What vegetables are included in the casserole?
The recipe includes one cup of chopped onions and one cup of chopped bell peppers.
How long should I sauté the onions and peppers?
Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and the peppers soften.
Can I use butter for sautéing?
Yes, the recipe lists 2 tablespoons of butter as an optional ingredient for sautéing.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What kind of rice is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 cup of uncooked white rice.
Should the rice be cooked before adding it to the casserole?
No, the white rice should be uncooked when mixed with the other ingredients.
What size casserole dish is recommended?
A greased 9x13 inch casserole dish is recommended for this recipe.
How long does the casserole need to bake?
The casserole bakes for a total of 55 to 60 minutes: 45 minutes covered and an additional 10-15 minutes uncovered.
Why do I need to cover the dish with aluminum foil?
Covering the dish with foil helps steam the rice so it becomes tender without drying out.
What type of tomato products are used?
The recipe uses one 14.5-ounce can of crushed tomatoes (with juice) and one cup of tomato sauce.
How is the spice level adjusted in this dish?
You can adjust the heat by adding 1 tablespoon of red hot sauce, or more to taste.
What provides the savory base flavor?
Two crumbled chicken bouillon cubes and sweet Italian sausage provide the primary savory flavors.
Should I add salt to the dish?
Salt is optional; if your sausage is already well-seasoned, you might want to skip adding extra salt.
Is fresh pepper recommended?
Yes, freshly cracked pepper is recommended to season the mixture to taste.
How do I know when the rice is finished cooking?
The rice is done when it is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Can this dish be made ahead of time for a gathering?
Yes, it is described as a hearty and comforting meal perfect for gatherings and easy to prepare.
What is the texture of the finished rice?
The rice should be tender and the casserole should be moist but have most of its liquid absorbed.
Is this a spicy dish?
It has a hint of heat from the red hot sauce, but the level of spiciness can be adjusted to your preference.
How much water is added to the recipe?
The recipe requires one cup of water.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, the recipe specifies transferring the mixture to a greased casserole dish.
What kind of bell pepper should I use?
The recipe lists bell pepper generally; you can use green, red, or any color you prefer.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
Key tags include savannah red rice, casserole, southern cooking, comfort food, and sausage.
Does this recipe contain fiber or protein information?
Nutritional details like fiber and protein are not specified in the provided data, though it contains 12 ingredients.
How do I prepare the chicken bouillon?
The two chicken bouillon cubes should be crumbled into the sauce mixture before stirring.
Is this dish easy to prepare?
Yes, it is described as easy to prepare and bakes to perfection in about an hour.