Savory Wild Rice and Southern Sausage Bake
This delightful casserole harmoniously combines the rich flavors of Southern pork sausage with the nutty essence of wild rice sourced from Minnesota. The recipe pays homage to its roots by featuring ingredients that bring together diverse culinary traditions. The juicy pork sausage provides a savory depth, while the wild rice, celebrated for its unique texture and taste, serves as the perfect base. Enhanced with a medley of colorful vegetables and a creamy sauce, this dish is not only straightforward to prepare but also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners, this casserole will transport you to the confluence of cultures, making every bite a celebration of heritage and taste.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
pork sausage
1 lb (your choice of hot or mild, crumbled)
wild rice
1 cup (uncooked)
white onion
1 cup (diced)
celery
3/4 cup (diced)
carrot
1/2 cup (diced)
bell pepper
1/2 cup (diced (any color))
cream of celery soup
10.75 oz (can)
water
2 cans (for mixing with soup)
salt
1 tsp (to taste)
butter
2 tbsp (for sautéing)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Thoroughly rinse the wild rice under cold running water until the water is clear. Set aside.
3
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the pork sausage, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks, until no pink remains—be careful not to overcook it.
4
Once browned, transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion, celery, carrot, and bell pepper for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are just beginning to caramelize.
5
Stir the wild rice into the skillet and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring the rice is coated with the butter and vegetable mixture without letting it burn.
6
Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
7
Add the can of cream of celery soup to the skillet, mixing it thoroughly with the vegetables and rice. Next, pour in two cans of water and stir until everything is well blended.
8
Fold in the reserved sausage, ensuring it's evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Bring the entire mixture to a gentle boil before removing it from heat.
9
Transfer everything into a buttered casserole dish (at least 2 quarts) and cover it tightly with foil.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, then check to see if additional water is required. If the mixture seems dry, add a little water and stir well.
11
Continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed but ensure the casserole remains moist—avoid letting it dry out entirely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Wild Rice and Southern Sausage Bake?
This dish is a flavorful casserole that combines Southern pork sausage with the nutty essence of Minnesota wild rice, vegetables, and a creamy sauce.
What type of sausage should I use for this recipe?
You can use 1 lb of pork sausage; you have the choice of using either hot or mild varieties depending on your spice preference.
Do I need to cook the wild rice before adding it to the casserole?
No, the recipe uses 1 cup of uncooked wild rice which is sautéed briefly and then baked in the oven.
How should the wild rice be prepared before cooking?
The wild rice should be thoroughly rinsed under cold running water until the water runs clear.
At what temperature should I preheat the oven?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before beginning the assembly of the casserole.
What vegetables are included in this wild rice bake?
The recipe includes diced white onion, celery, carrot, and bell pepper.
What kind of soup is used to make the creamy sauce?
One 10.75 oz can of cream of celery soup is used as the base for the sauce.
How much water do I need to add to the mixture?
The recipe calls for two cans of water, using the empty soup can as a measuring guide.
Should the sausage be cooked before it goes into the oven?
Yes, you should brown the crumbled sausage in a skillet until no pink remains before adding it to the rice and vegetable mixture.
How long do the vegetables need to sauté?
The onion, celery, carrot, and bell pepper should be sautéed for about 5-7 minutes until they just begin to caramelize.
What size casserole dish is required for this recipe?
You should use a buttered casserole dish that is at least 2 quarts in size.
Do I need to cover the casserole while it is baking?
Yes, the dish should be covered tightly with foil during the baking process.
How long does the casserole take to bake in total?
The total baking time is approximately 60-65 minutes, checked at the 30-minute mark.
What should I do if the casserole looks dry halfway through baking?
If the mixture seems dry after 30 minutes of baking, add a little extra water and stir well before returning it to the oven.
Can I use any color of bell pepper?
Yes, you can use 1/2 cup of diced bell pepper in any color of your choice.
What is the purpose of sautéing the raw rice?
Sautéing the rice for 2-3 minutes with the butter and vegetables ensures it is well-coated and enhances its nutty flavor.
What are the key tags associated with this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as comfort food, a one-dish meal, southern cooking, and Minnesota cuisine.
How much butter is needed for sautéing?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of butter for melting in the skillet.
Is this a good recipe for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that is perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
How should the final casserole look when finished?
The liquid should be mostly absorbed, but the casserole should remain moist rather than drying out entirely.
What type of onion is best for this dish?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of diced white onion.
Does the mixture need to be heated before going into the oven?
Yes, after mixing the soup, water, vegetables, and sausage, you should bring it to a gentle boil before transferring it to the baking dish.
How much carrot is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of diced carrot.
How much celery should I dice?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of diced celery.
What seasonings are used in this bake?
The dish is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of salt (or to taste) and freshly ground black pepper.
Is the wild rice used in this recipe native to a specific area?
The description highlights that the wild rice is sourced from Minnesota.
Should the sausage be finely crumbled?
Yes, you should break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks in the skillet.
Can I overcook the sausage in the skillet?
The recipe advises being careful not to overcook the sausage while browning it.
Is the casserole dish greased?
The recipe recommends using a buttered casserole dish to prevent sticking.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total, including the sausage, rice, vegetables, soup, and seasonings.