Description
Hearty one-pot smoked sausage and rice delights dinner tables with robust flavors from Polish culinary traditions. Saucy, satisfying ingredients blend seamlessly for quick comfort that connects family around warm plates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (500 g) smoked sausage (andouille, kielbasa, or any smoked sausage), sliced
- 2 ½ cups (600 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (200 g) long-grain white rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for topping)
- 1 can (400 g/14 oz) diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sear Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Caramelize smoked sausage slices until golden brown, then set aside on a separate plate.
- Aromatics Foundation: In the same skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent, releasing their fragrant essence. Introduce uncooked rice, toasting the grains to develop a rich, nutty flavor.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, ensuring rice is fully immersed. Gently fold in bell peppers, allowing them to soften and blend with the developing mixture.
- Combine and Simmer: Reintroduce the seared sausage to the pan, nestling the pieces into the rice. Reduce heat, cover, and let the ingredients meld together, creating a harmonious one-pot wonder.
- Finalize and Serve: Once rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, remove from heat. Let the dish rest briefly, then fluff with a fork to distribute sausage and vegetables evenly. Serve immediately while flavors are at their peak.
Notes
- Sear Sausage Perfectly: Caramelize edges by cooking on medium-high heat without overcrowding the pan, ensuring rich golden-brown color and enhanced flavor profile.
- Rice Absorption Technique: Toast rice grains before adding liquid to enhance nutty undertones and prevent mushy texture, creating a more robust and separated grain structure.
- Vegetable Variation: Swap bell peppers with seasonal vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or frozen mixed vegetables to adapt the recipe to available ingredients and preferences.
- Low-Sodium Modification: Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce added salt to create a heart-friendly version of the dish without compromising taste complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg