Description
This hearty, one-pan Italian Sausage and Rice Skillet is an absolute winner for busy weeknights. It features savory Italian sausage, long-grain brown rice, creamy white beans, and fresh spinach, all simmered in a rich tomato base with aromatic Italian herbs. This complete, easy dinner is comforting and packed with flavor, making it a guaranteed family favorite.
Ingredients
Skillet Base
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, removed from casings
- 1 medium red onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
Rice and Liquid
- 2 cups long grain brown rice
- 1 (19 oz) can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, do not drain
- 5 1/2 cups water
Seasoning and Finish
- 2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 6 oz fresh spinach (about 6 cups)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Sausage
Place the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir and crumble the sausage as it cooks until it is fully browned and cooked through (about 5-10 minutes). Drain off any substantial excess grease.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Add the diced red onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
Step 3: Simmer the Rice
Add the brown rice, drained and rinsed white beans, the undrained can of diced tomatoes, water, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, sea salt, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Step 4: Cover and Cook
Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to a medium-low setting so the liquid is simmering gently. Let the mixture cook for approximately 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The rice should be nearly tender, and the liquid mostly absorbed.
Step 5: Finish with Spinach
Stir in the fresh spinach, adding a few handfuls at a time. Allow each batch to wilt down before adding the next. Once all the spinach is incorporated, cover the skillet one last time and let the rice finish cooking completely. Remove the skillet from the heat immediately.
Step 6: Serve Warm
Serve the Italian Sausage and Rice Skillet warm on its own or alongside a simple green salad or garlic bread.
Notes
Storage and Freezing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This meal also freezes well; let it cool completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Prevent Sticking: It is important to stir the rice occasionally during the 40-minute simmering time to prevent the long grain brown rice from settling and sticking to the bottom of the pan. Use a medium-low heat setting to maintain a gentle simmer, not a rapid boil.
Flavor Variation (Cheesy Finish): For an added layer of richness, stir in a few tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese just after the spinach has wilted and the rice is fully cooked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Simmering, One-Pan
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 78g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Italian sausage, rice skillet, one-pan dinner, brown rice recipe, white beans, spinach