One-Pan Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Rice
A savory one-pan meal featuring browned Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, and fluffy rice simmered in a garlic tomato broth. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, small, diced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces Italian sausage
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, sliced into strips yellow bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into strips red bell pepper
- 1 small, diced onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup, rinsed long grain white rice
- 1 can (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated, for garnish parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz sliced Italian sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced small onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 sliced yellow bell pepper, and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed long grain white rice and cook for 1 minute to toast the rice slightly.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) undrained diced tomatoes and 1 1/4 cups chicken broth. Add 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese and 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Rice take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pan Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Rice?
Italian one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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