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Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole

If I can make dinner in a single pan or skillet, then that recipe quickly becomes one of my favorites. It’s why we tend to use our Instant Pot as much as we do and why this blog has so many one-pan or slow cooker meals on it. Now I’ve got this new one to add — cheesy sausage and rice casserole.

A close-up of a baked dish topped with melted cheese, sliced sausages, and garnished with chopped herbs.
Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole Recipe

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This one pot Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole recipe is a quick, delicious dinner you can whip up in one pan. Plus, it is guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters. It’s amazing how a cheesy dish can do that.

While not using table scraps, per se, it is the perfect recipe for using leftovers from other meals you might have made, much like our recipe for Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole is. That one uses leftover rice, chicken and broccoli.

Have extra smoked sausage from a breakfast scramble? Use it up in this dish. Got leftover rice from a stir fry or maybe risotto? You can definitely add it to this casserole.

Also, this is the kind of dinner that you can throw together easily with items that most of us already have in our pantry or refrigerator. Things like:

  • Onions
  • Rice
  • Ro-Tel Tomatoes
  • Cream of Chicken Soup

And, if you’re not in love with the ingredients already, here’s another reason to love this casserole: with prep and cooking, you’ll have dinner on the table in 30 minutes. Yup, dinner ready in a half hour. This is perfect for going back to school or busy nights throughout the year.

Ingredients Overview

Top view of various ingredients including smoked sausage, rice, Ro-Tel tomatoes, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, onions, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes, each labeled by white text.

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a large skillet over medium high heat add your sausage and onion and cook until sausage is browned and onion is tender. If the pan that you’re using tends to stick, add a tablespoon of high smoke point oil ahead of time or use your favorite cooking spray.

A cream-colored skillet filled with browned sausage slices and diced onions, cooked until golden. The skillet sits on a white marble surface.
Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

To the pan add your cream of chicken soup and fill the can up with water twice and add it to the pan. Then, add your tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes and rice.

A pot containing uncooked rice, chopped tomatoes, slices of sausage, and a yellow liquid mixture, all in a simmering broth.
Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Bring up to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese. Top with the remaining cheese and cover until the cheese is melted.

A close-up of a baked dish topped with melted cheese and slices of sausage. A spoon is scooping out a portion.
Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Look at the clock. No more than 30 minutes should have come and gone, and dinner is ready. Now it’s time to eat.

A plate of cheesy rice topped with sliced sausage and garnished with parsley.
Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Tips and Tricks

You can use any kind of sausage you like. This could be turkey sausage, kielbasa or andouille. Even a vegetarian sausage could work.

Close-up of a cheesy baked dish topped with sliced, browned sausage pieces and garnished with chopped herbs.
Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Except for the Ro-Tel tomatoes and onions, this dish is pretty light on vegetables. It is easy to add bell peppers or broccoli to this recipe for additional vitamins and nutrients.

Don’t have cream of chicken soup in the pantry? No problem. You can switch it out with cream of mushroom soup instead.

If you like things a bit spicier, try switching the cheese to pepper jack. Also, if you happen to have a three-cheese or Mexican blend of shredded cheese in the refrigerator instead of regular cheddar, go ahead and use it. This recipe is so versatile that even small tweaks can’t ruin its great flavor.

A spoonful of cheesy rice casserole topped with sliced sausage and garnished with herbs. More of the casserole is visible in the background.
Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

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A plate of cheesy sausage and rice casserole is served, featuring sliced sausages mixed with rice and topped with melted cheese. A piece of bread and a beverage are visible in the background.

Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole

As cold weather returns, here's one of my favorite hearty one-pot dishes. — cheesy sausage and rice casserole. I love this dish because it is quick, filling and versatile. It's a great use for leftovers. Have no sausage on hand, but there's bacon in the fridge? Just substitute it. Leftover veggies? Add them in as well. Here's another reason to love this casserole: with prep and cooking, you'll have dinner on the table in 30 minutes. Yup, dinner ready in a half hour.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 584 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 14 ounces smoked sausage
  • 1 chopped onion, about 1 medium.
  • 10.5 ounce cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cups water
  • 10 ounce can of Ro-tel tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 1/2 cups rice
  • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet over medium high heat add your sausage and onion and cook until sausage is browned and onion is tender.
  • Add cream of chicken soup.
  • Fill the empty can from the soup twice with water and add to the pan.
  • Add your tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes and rice.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Cover and reduce heat to low
  • Simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
  • Stir in 3/4 of your cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Top with the remaining cheese and cover until the cheese is melted.

Notes

Except for the Ro-Tel tomatoes and onions, this dish is pretty light on vegetables. It is easy to add bell peppers or broccoli to this recipe for additional vitamins and nutrients.
Don’t have cream of chicken soup in the pantry? No problem. You can switch it out with cream of mushroom soup instead.
If you like things a bit spicier, try switching the cheese to pepper jack. Also, if you happen to have a three-cheese or Mexican blend of shredded cheese in the refrigerator instead of regular cheddar, go ahead and use it. This recipe is so versatile that even small tweaks can’t ruin its great flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 584kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 22gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1170mgPotassium: 353mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 549IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 315mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values, if included with the recipe, are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability/substitution and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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