One-Pot Evansville-Style Sausage and Rice Pilaf
Hearty and savory sausage cooked with aromatic vegetables and fluffy rice in one pot, inspired by regional comfort food flavors. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 45 minutes pairs long grain white rice, chicken broth, medium diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 rounds smoked sausage
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium diced yellow onion
- 1 medium diced green bell pepper
- 2 diced celery stalks
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and crisp around edges, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 medium diced green bell pepper, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, coating it with the sausage and vegetable mixture. Add 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Evansville-Style Sausage and Rice Pilaf take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 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-Pot Evansville-Style Sausage and Rice Pilaf?
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 long grain white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Evansville-Style Sausage and Rice Pilaf?
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-Pot Evansville-Style Sausage and Rice Pilaf 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-Pot Evansville-Style Sausage and Rice Pilaf?
American 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.
